An elderly pedestrian was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, Thursday afternoon, after the motorized scooter she was riding collided with and became partially wedged beneath the front tire of a full sized pickup truck.
It happened in the 2900-block of Benvoulin Road. Police believe that the driver of a black Ford F150 pickup truck was in the process of making a right hand turn, entering into traffic from a parking lot access laneway, when the collision unfolded.
“Early findings at the scene suggest that the mobility scooter was being operated in the bike lane, travelling against the flow of traffic,” states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP. “Motorized wheel chair or scooter operators are treated similarly to pedestrians and are reminded to be extra cautious when approaching and crossing driveway or laneway accesses to roadways.”
The elderly pedestrian, an 80-year-old West Kelowna woman, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital.
RCMP believe that the collision occurred at a relatively slow speed. Alcohol or other intoxicants are not believed to be contributing factors. Police anticipate an inspection to be carried out on the pickup truck involved to determine whether or not any mechanical failures played a role.
If you witnessed this crash and have not yet spoken to police you are urged to contact the Kelowna RCMP Municipal Traffic Section at 250-762-3300.