The semi-truck driver who died in a crash on Highway 1 last week has been identified.
On Friday, two semi-trucks were involved in a head-on collision in the Rogers Pass area near Revelstoke.
Sadly, the driver of one of the trucks died and the other was transported to the hospital in a serious condition.
On Monday, Reimer Bros Trucking, which is based out of Armstrong, identified the driver who died as Darren Samoleski of Vernon.
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According to the company, Samoleski had nearly 40 years of experience and more than four million miles driven during his career.
He worked with Reimer Bros Trucking for more than seven and a half years and was regarded “as one of the company’s safest drivers in the fleet,” the company said in a statement.
“He was known for his reliability, professionalism, and quiet leadership,” the company said.
“Earlier in 2025, Reimer Bros introduced a Driver of the Year program to recognize safe driving performance. Samoleski was named Driver of the Year for the second quarter, becoming the first recipient of the award since the program began.”
According to Reimer Bros Trucking, Samoleski was operating within highway limits, travelling in his proper lane of travel, and his records were in order at the time of the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing and the trucking company said it will not speculate on fault or assign responsibilities while the RCMP continue to determine what caused the crash.
“The loss of Samoleski is being felt profoundly by his family, colleagues, and the wider trucking community,” the company said.
Sadly, this tragic death marks the second loss of a driver at this company in two years.
In February 2025, Reimer Bros driver Mike Beernaerts was killed in a head-on collision near Monte Creek. It was later determined Beernaerts was not at fault and the crash happened after an oncoming commercial vehicle crossed the centre line, the statement said.
“The circumstances bear similarities in that both incidents involved its driver operating within the lane of travel before a collision occurred,” the company said. “Losing two professional drivers in two years has been heartbreaking for the organization and the people who worked alongside them.”
The company said there are also noted the broader risks faced daily on Canada’s highways.
“Reimer Bros Trucking said meaningful improvements in road safety require continued collaboration between industry, regulators, road authorities, and shared responsibility among all road users,” the statement said.
“Samoleski will be remembered as a true professional and an exceptional driver. Reimer Bros extended its condolences to his family, friends, and everyone affected by the loss.”
