UPDATE: Both Hwy 97 crashes on Monday were fatal, police say

(UPDATE: March 17 @ 1:15 pm) - Police have released details on a second fatal crash on Hwy 97 near Prince George that Cpl. Michael McLaughlin eluded to in an earlier release.

Just over four hours after the fatal crash north of Prince George on Monday, emergency crews responded to one south of the city at Woodpecker Landing.

"Initial reports indicated that a semi-truck had jackknifed and collided with a pickup truck, resulting in serious injuries," an RCMP release explained.

The passenger of the pickup, a 69-year-old Quesnel woman, was killed in the crash, while the 77-year-old Quesnel man behind the wheel was hospitalized. The 44-year-old Abbotsford man driving the semi was uninjured.

According to the RCMP, speed and weather are believed to have been contributing factors in the fatal collision.

Cpl. Brett Urano says the public's assistance "will be crucial in this investigation" and anyone with information is urged to come forward by calling the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300.

(Original story: March 17 @ 10:45 am) - One man is dead following a highway crash north of Prince George early Monday afternoon.

Emergency crews were called to the scene on Hwy 97, near Salmon Valley, around 12:45 pm.

According to the BC Highway Patrol, a northbound Peterbilt logging truck towing an empty trailer collided with a southbound Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.

While the 29-year-old Alberta man driving the logging truck escaped with minor injuries, the 67-year-old Mackenzie man behind the wheel of the pickup truck was killed in the collision.

“Any witnesses who saw this collision, or who have dash camera (footage) of the events leading up to the crash, will be crucial to this investigation,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin. “At this early stage, nothing has been ruled out in terms of what caused the collision.”

Road conditions are said to have been wet and slushy at the time of the crash and McLaughlin noted that it was the second fatal collision on Hwy 97 in less than a day.

“We’re urging motorists in and around Prince George to slow down to well below the speed limit,” he added.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators with this file is urged to contact the BCHP’s Prince George branch at 250-649-4004.