Horrible car accident

[French Castanut]

A guardrail would have not stopped the accident, whatever the cause of the accident is, but it certainly would have saved her life.

How do you know what would have saved her life. Playing "what if" is a never ending game of speculation.

It's actually all speculation until the coroner reports comes out. I'd be curious about the safety recommandations that will show up in that report.

As for the guard rail... a car would have slide into it.. and been stopped, not falling into freezing water. The impact would have been on the passenger's side... leaving the driver's side safe. Injuries could have occured... but nothing like falling in 0degree water, and what follows.

[Captain Awesome]

Might as well put a guardrail around every lake, tree, bridge, stump, and light pole in Canada.

[JOF585]

What's wrong with putting a guard rail around that particular stretch of road ? It's not the first accident there. Why is everybody in such an uproar ? Nothing wrong with prevention. If you drive down Springfield Road near Spall, in front of Vitalaire, there's a tree with 2 steel ( cement ? ) posts around it. To prevent a vehicule from hitting the tree. A tree ? ( Don't get me wrong I love trees ). And you see the same kind of posts here and there around town. Why not on that stretch of road and others around here ? The road around the lake to Fintry is a good example. Again, nothing wrong with prevention.

[cv23]

We can go round and round with this forever so let's examine the facts we have available to us about the circumstances of the accident.
1) This road is twisty due to the topography but has always been as such since its construction decades ago.
2) At the time of the accident the temperature was below zero.
3) There was snow on the ground beside the roadway so the same snowfall likely also deposited snow on the roads surface.
4) Because the temperature was below the freezing mark there was a possibility of snow and/or ice being on that road.
5) Another driver has during freezing conditions experienced ice on that same road.
6) The person in the vehicle following the vehicle involved in the accident has told us this about the speed of the vehicle
involved "she was travelling faster then I was as she had pulled away from me and was getting further and further ahead of
me."
7) Other vehicles had successfully navigated that road just prior to this accident taking place .
8) The vehicle failed to negotiate a curve in the road and left the roads surface.

Everything else is pure speculation.

[cv23]

As for the guard rail... a car would have slide into it.. and been stopped, not falling into freezing water. The impact would have been on the passenger's side... leaving the driver's side safe. Injuries could have occured... but nothing like falling in 0degree water, and what follows.

Actually from the photos provided it appears the vehicle may have left the road way at a rather steep angle or almost perpendicular to the direction of the road. Guardrails usually do a pretty decent job of deflecting vehicles that contact them at low pitched angles but are no where near as effective against direct or perpendicular contact.
Your comments are strictly speculation on your part

[logicalview]

As for the guard rail... a car would have slide into it.. and been stopped, not falling into freezing water.

Local residents say crashes on (McKinley Road) are common as it is very narrow and doesn't have room for a concrete barricade.

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topics/faq.htm

Concrete roadside barrier (CRB) is installed along the shoulder of highways where it is justified and where funding permits. Not all locations require CRB. Some of the criteria that is assessed when determining if CRB should be installed is: shoulder width, the slope of the ditch and volume of traffic on the highway. Generally – the steeper the shoulder, the narrower the shoulder, and the higher the traffic volumes – the more likely barrier will be justified.

[Mon Cheri]

I am the mother of the 21 year old young lady who lost her life tragically on December 12 and plunged into the McKinely Resevoir. First of all, I have been reading all of the postings and appreciate deeply the ones who expressed their sympathies in our greatest loss. I am here to clarify a few things. Shayla resided in Kamloops with her boyfriend David. She was in her 3rd year of University and wanted to become a Social Worker. Shayla had travelled from Kamloops to Kelowna recently to see her newborn nephew that had just been born. In her later years, Shayla grew up in the house on Mckinely Landing and my home at the coast. She KNEW the Mckinley Road and how treacherous it could be! She waited late in life to learn how to drive and took over a years worth of lessons; including defensive driving. So to those who have been so cruel and insenstive to suggest anything otherwise is simply appalling and shame on you!! Would you want a loved one to be smeared for the "What If's?" Yes, she could have maybe been driving slower, but I have endless emails and text messages stating how other people have almost went into the resevoir on Mckinely! If those who are laying blame think that is going to spare another life, then your deeply mistaken! What will save another family from being spared is CHANGE! Imagine what you would be doing if this was your daughter, sister, best friend or soulmate? I Do Not want Shayla's death to be in vain...I want something done so that another family Never has to go through the hell we all are enduring! Next week, Shayla was to spend Christmas with me. Now, while others will be celebrating the holidays, I will be at the crash site on my knees in the snow aching for my babygirl ! As for me wanting to fix that terrible stretch of road, Nothing I do will bring my daughter back! I am doing this for your families! It is what Shayla Rae Dawn Driver would want me to do!

[Roz1979]

[quote="Mon Cheri"]I am the mother of the 21 year old young lady who lost her life....."

Deepest Condolences Mon Cheri. I cannot imagine what you and your family are going through. I have driven that patch of road and often thought how dangerous it is... and I shuddered to think what it would be like in winter. You could be driving as slow as a snail, but if you hit a patch of black ice... I really do hope that some sort of barrier is put up to stop this happening to another family. I have three children and crashing into water with them in my car is my worst nightmare. I am open mouthed at a few of the posts on here... but do not take it personally, they are removed from the situation and are missing a sensitivity chip. I hope that you and your family manage to find some comfort in each other.

[northglenmore08]

I am the mother of the 21 year old young lady who lost her life tragically on December 12 and plunged into the McKinely Resevoir. First of all, I have been reading all of the postings and appreciate deeply the ones who expressed their sympathies in our greatest loss. I am here to clarify a few things. Shayla resided in Kamloops with her boyfriend David. She was in her 3rd year of University and wanted to become a Social Worker. Shayla had travelled from Kamloops to Kelowna recently to see her newborn nephew that had just been born. In her later years, Shayla grew up in the house on Mckinely Landing and my home at the coast. She KNEW the Mckinley Road and how treacherous it could be! She waited late in life to learn how to drive and took over a years worth of lessons; including defensive driving. So to those who have been so cruel and insenstive to suggest anything otherwise is simply appalling and shame on you!! Would you want a loved one to be smeared for the "What If's?" Yes, she could have maybe been driving slower, but I have endless emails and text messages stating how other people have almost went into the resevoir on Mckinely! If those who are laying blame think that is going to spare another life, then your deeply mistaken! What will save another family from being spared is CHANGE! Imagine what you would be doing if this was your daughter, sister, best friend or soulmate? I Do Not want Shayla's death to be in vain...I want something done so that another family Never has to go through the hell we all are enduring! Next week, Shayla was to spend Christmas with me. Now, while others will be celebrating the holidays, I will be at the crash site on my knees in the snow aching for my babygirl ! As for me wanting to fix that terrible stretch of road, Nothing I do will bring my daughter back! I am doing this for your families! It is what Shayla Rae Dawn Driver would want me to do!

Thank you for sharing, Mon Cheri. Our very deepest condolences to you and your family. Every time I drive by the reservoir I can't help but shed tears for your precious daughter. My husband I drive by there at least twice a day with our 2 children and it could have easily been us...that is such a fear of mine. It is my sincere hope that the city responds responsibly and respectfully and implements something to keep people safe. Please do not take to heart the insensitive people who post on this forum; their viewpoints are based on their own experiences and ignorance of yours and ours who live in this area. It is disheartening to think that any person would be more concerned about having "their" tax dollars allocated to public safety over the value of human life. Please know that my family has been mourning your loss and thinking of you and your daughter frequently. I hope that you are finding peace and love surrounding you, especially at this time of year. I read Shayla's obituary yesterday and thought it was beautifully written. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[RR24K]

My deepest heart felt condolences for the loss of your child Mon Cheri.

[GordonH]

*Bump update*

Upgrade to happen http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/74 ... o-be-safer

[Mon Cheri]

Regarding McKinley Rd., costs jump almost 80 %. I am the mother of Shayla Driver, who tragically had her life taken at the age of 21 on this deadly stretch of road. I have stood up for a young woman whose voice was silenced 9 days before Christmas 2011.
The cost of a safer route has increased, but if numbers is what is at the heart of this, I feel I have a right to support the increase. Recently, I hosted a Bursary Fundraiser in my daughter’s memory. I reside in Surrey and as a grieving mother; it took whatever strength I had to be able to see this thru. Contributions came from family, friends, and communities. However, in planning, and creating the event, the cost to all of us who loved Shayla, was over $3,000. Sponsorship was another $3,500 and the Bursary to be given to a student was set by me at a $1,000 for the next three years. Additionally, I have left $200,000 to the Bursary. In contrast I ask then, how does someone put a price on a human life? How about the countless lives saved by these safety improvements. What if I simply chose to grieve about my only child’s death and not concern myself with the well-being of others? Costs will come from the Rural Road Reserve, Not taxpayers pockets. An additional $55,000 contribution from ICBC is to offset costs and yet there are those bothered or frustrated by the increase. My own version of frustration and anguish is the following; Never knowing what your daughter would look like on her wedding day, or seeing the beautiful grandchildren she may have had. It is a bittersweet feeling knowing that a concrete barrier represents safety for all others residing in a place I do not even live in. What matters to me is taking solace in knowing when the bus driver comes to pick up the children of McKinley Landing they will now be travelling safer on that terrible road.
For those who take issue with costs, I ask them: “What are your loved ones worth?”
Tonya Alton

[Swoop]

Regarding McKinley Rd., costs jump almost 80 %. I am the mother of Shayla Driver, who tragically had her life taken at the age of 21 on this deadly stretch of road. I have stood up for a young woman whose voice was silenced 9 days before Christmas 2011.
The cost of a safer route has increased, but if numbers is what is at the heart of this, I feel I have a right to support the increase. Recently, I hosted a Bursary Fundraiser in my daughter’s memory. I reside in Surrey and as a grieving mother; it took whatever strength I had to be able to see this thru. Contributions came from family, friends, and communities. However, in planning, and creating the event, the cost to all of us who loved Shayla, was over $3,000. Sponsorship was another $3,500 and the Bursary to be given to a student was set by me at a $1,000 for the next three years. Additionally, I have left $200,000 to the Bursary. In contrast I ask then, how does someone put a price on a human life? How about the countless lives saved by these safety improvements. What if I simply chose to grieve about my only child’s death and not concern myself with the well-being of others? Costs will come from the Rural Road Reserve, Not taxpayers pockets. An additional $55,000 contribution from ICBC is to offset costs and yet there are those bothered or frustrated by the increase. My own version of frustration and anguish is the following; Never knowing what your daughter would look like on her wedding day, or seeing the beautiful grandchildren she may have had. It is a bittersweet feeling knowing that a concrete barrier represents safety for all others residing in a place I do not even live in. What matters to me is taking solace in knowing when the bus driver comes to pick up the children of McKinley Landing they will now be travelling safer on that terrible road.
For those who take issue with costs, I ask them: “What are your loved ones worth?”
Tonya Alton

Tonya, my sincerest sympathies for the loss you suffered. Having recently been involved in another families grief at the loss of a loved one, there is nothing anyone can say or do to assuage your grief and sorrow. The efforts you have undertaken to try and spare another family the same loss you have suffered is truly commendable. Do not let the petty whining and sniveling of internet posters/trolls, particularly on these forums, dissuade you from your efforts. There is simply no pleasing those with nothing other than a life long ambition to bitch about anything, and this is the perfect avenue for them. I wish you all the very best in seeing these improvements to fruition and the countless drivers and their passengers whose lives will be that much safer because of it - a more fitting legacy to your daughter you could not provide.

[Mon Cheri]

I am deeply grateful to you and those who have shown their support of getting a part of McKinley Road fixed. The emotional anguish of having to grieve the greatest loss I have suffered, is beyond describable. For I simply did not lose my daughter, I no longer have my best friend to hold hands with, my advocate for social change was taken from me by a reservoir that has no right to be by a road in the first place. I am left hollow inside, my days filled with the reality that Shayla was Not the first person to drive into the waters and yet NO one else did Anything about changing that deadly stretch! I have endured my first Christmas without my babygirl, her 22nd Birthday, alone I mourned for my daughter and on Mother's Day, I sat beside a river for 45 minutes, in the darkness...the exact time Shayla was submerged underwater in the frozen reservoir. Yet, through my living Hell, I have manged to somehow create a positive outcome to such a dire situation. It is my hopes The Shayla Rae Dawn Driver Memorial Bursary I established at Thomspon Rivers University (TRU), will be an extension of the briliant legacy, Shayla left behind. She was studying for three years at TRU to become a Social Worker and was passionate about wanting to help those in need. My efforts have been supported by those McKinley residents who voted for Option 7 and have reached out to me, to offer condolences. As much as my loss is immeasurable, I could never be silent and hope that no other family was stricken by tradgedy like I was, Shayla's family and friends by her sudden death. I taught my daughter to always stand up for what she belived in! Now, a concrete angel in the form of a barricade will reside over McKinely Landing and give peace of mind to those who travel along that treacherous road. I would like Swoop to know that in the midst of my turmoil and loss, it is comforting to know there are people who truly understand what was sacrificed to bring safety to others. There is NO pricetag on my daughter's life, for she was worth a value that cannot be found!

[Loed]

Slow down. Drive for the conditions.

Problem solved.