Grand Forks RCMP say four separate crashes since Thursday could have been much worse, ranging from a battle with a mosquito to a collision with a moose.
On Friday morning, a 2016 Hyundi Santa Fe was turning left on Central Avenue and 5th Street in downtown Grand Forks when it bumped an 84-year-old woman from Nanaimo in the crosswalk.
Police estimate the car was only travelling between five and 10 km/h but the woman struck her head on the road. She was taken by ambulance to Boundary Hospital with a serious injury but is expected to be okay.
Sgt. Darryl Peppler said the driver, a 74-year-old Grand Forks man, was extremely remorseful. He was charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian.
On Thursday evening, a Honda Pilot going east on Highway 3 near Eholt hit a moose. The driver and lone occupant, a 26-year-old man from Trail, was uninjured and was able to get out on his own. But neither his vehicle nor the moose were as lucky.
On Friday morning, a 2022 Nissan Rogue crashed in the 9500 block of North Fork Road. The driver, a 74-year-old Grand Forks man, told police he tried to swat a mosquito, causing him to lose control on a curve and hit the ditch.
Extensive damage was done to the bottom and front axle of the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger were uninjured. “There is no update on the mosquito,” Peppler quipped.
On Sunday afternoon, a 2003 Subaru Legacy overturned in the 900 block of Santa Rosa Road in Christina Lake.
A 17-year-old explained he lost control on the gravel portion and to avoid going down the bank, he overcorrected, causing the vehicle to roll over. Neither he nor his passengers were hurt.
“It is a busy time of year on our public roads, and we want to remind motorists to be mindful and careful when driving,” Peppler said. “With high traffic volume due to summer travel combined with events in town such as the GFI and Homecoming, the roads are going to be quite busy, so expect a higher police presence.”