Friday Fatal Crash Victim Identified

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C.- RCMP have released the name of the driver killed in three commercial unit crash on Friday near the B.C. Alberta border. 

Larry Bassaraba, 59 years of age , from Valemount, B.C., died when the propane truck he was driving collided with two east bound tractor-trailer units. 

The crash happened around 1:15 Friday afternoon on Highway 16 near Yellowhead Lake. 

According to police, the west bound propane collided with the first eastbound commercial tractor-trailer unit on the passenger side in a head-on, sideswipe type collision.  The propane truck then collided head-on with a second commercial tractor-trailer unit.  

The driver of the first commercial tractor-trailer unit sustained only minor injuries, was treated in Jasper and was released.  The driver of the second commercial tractor-trailer unit sustained serious injuries and was transported to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, where he remains in critical condition.  

An emergency crew was dispatched by LPG Emergency Response Corp.  To further complicate the situation at the scene, extreme weather conditions were in effect with temperatures of minus 24 degrees Celsius and a strong blowing wind.  

Highway #16 was closed for almost 24 hours, as Emergency Personnel dealt with the hazards of the Dangerous Goods, which included the offloading of the propane. 

The Valemount Traffic Services Unit continues to investigate this collision with the B.C. Coroner’s Service.  

Anyone, who may have any information, which could assist investigators in this incident, is asked to contact the Valemount RCMP Detachment at (250) 566-4466.

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