One person is dead and another has been charged with impaired driving causing death following an all-terrain vehicle crash on Westside Road, west of Radium Hot Springs June 23.

At 11:15 p.m. Saturday evening, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a single ATV accident with injuries on Westside Road near the Dogsleg Forest Service Road junction.

The complainant reported that they had been doing CPR on a subject for about 15-20 minutes; however, cell service was lost.

“Columbia Valley RCMP members responded as quickly and as safely as they could and located the single vehicle roll over at the junction of Westside Road and Dogsleg Forest Service Road approximately 30 km from Radium Hot Springs,” reported Cpl. Brent Ayers, Acting Commander of the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment.

A side-by-side was lying on the driver’s side with an adult male laying unconscious on the ground a few feet away.

CPR was continued until the arrival of other officers, which included an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and until the ultimate arrival of two BC Ambulance paramedics.

Tragically, all efforts were unsuccessful in reviving the rider.

“The operator of the side-by-side was arrested for impaired driving causing death and samples were provided back at the Columbia Valley Detachment. This file is still under investigation,” Cpl. Ayers said.

“As a reminder to all off-road vehicle enthusiasts, please heed the safety precautions as provided and outlined by the manufacturers. Subjects should be strapped into the vehicle and DOT approved helmets should be worn at all times. Drive accordingly to the weight of the vehicle and take into account that accidents can and will occur regardless of all precautions taken,” he said, adding, “Know your riding environment, including that night riding can compound problems. Further, please don’t drink and drive; after all, life is a gift.”

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