10-year-old boy and his grandmother killed in B.C. road accident

A tragic car accident in Vernon, B.C. blamed on seasonal road conditions has killed a ten-year-old boy and his grandmother. The car the two were in lost control, crossed the centre-line and was slammed by a pickup.

VERNON, B.C. – Seasonal road conditions are being blamed for a terribly tragic road accident which took the life of a 69-year-old woman and her 10-year-old grandson. Dorothy Thalhofer, 69, of Vernon and her grandson Eric Rand, of Enderby, B.C., were killed instantly when their vehicle went out of control on Highway 97, crossed over the centre line and was slammed by a pickup. The Friday accident took the lives of both the grandmother and the grandson even though they were wearing seat belts, police said. The driver of the Ford pickup, a 24-year-old Vernon male, was alone in his vehicle. He was wearing a seat belt, and his injuries are minor. The pickup struck the out-of-control vehicle broadside. “Speed and alcohol are not believed to be contributing factors in the collision. The cause of the collision remains under investigation,” said RCMP spokesman Gordon Molendyk. “Seasonal weather may have been a contributing factor in this incident and police are reminding drivers to please consider the road conditions at this time of year and drive accordingly,” he said. Police are asking any witnessed who have not yet come forward to contact Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171. This incident is being investigated by the North Okanagan Traffic Services.