Prince George, BC – RCMP are confirming that five people were killed in a head-on collision on Highway 97 that occurred just north of McLeese Lake earlier today…

Corporal Madonna Saunderson says all five were in a southbound Kia Sorrento that crossed the centre line and slammed into an oncoming semi-truck.  While she will not confirm nor deny the names of the four family members released by the Prince George Citizen earlier this evening, Corporal Saunderson does say all five were related.  Colleagues at the Citizen are in mourning after learning that Systems Manager Matt Altizer, his wife, and two children, were four of the five to perish in the crash.

The member of the Prince George Regional/Provincial Traffic Service Unit says both vehicles were engulfed by flames following the crash.  The driver of the tractor trailer unit was uninjured but was taken to hospital in Williams Lake for observation.

Corporal Saunderson says, "At this time, it is not clear why the Kia crossed the centre line.  The roads at the time of the crash were bare and dry with good visibility."

Highway 97 is once again open to traffic.  But Saunderson says vehicle recovery efforts were suspended due to darkness meaning the route will be down to single-lane, alternating traffic or closed completely for a period tomorrow to allow for that work.  Motorists are being advised to check www.drivebc.ca