A two-vehicle head-on collision on Highway 3 near Kitchener, British Columbia, just east of Creston Thursday claimed the lives of both drivers and the unborn child one was carrying, left the woman’s husband hospitalized in serious condition and left family on both sides of the border grieving a terrible loss.
“Every now and then you get to meet a truly unusual person,” said uncle Winston Blackmore. “That was Loretta. Beautiful, sweet and loving, she just was that kind of person, mother, and friend. ”
According to the RCMP, “the vehicles were opposing one another when the eastbound vehicle crossed into the oncoming lane, colliding head on with the westbound vehicle. The eastbound vehicle came to a stop down an embankment along the riverside, challenging rescue efforts due to its location. The westbound vehicle remained on the shoulder of the highway.”
A 33-year old woman and 65 year old man, both from the Creston area, were pronounced dead at the scene.
“This incident is a truly tragic loss of life,” said S/Sgt. Brandon Buliziuk, Creston RCMP Detachment Commander. “Many civilians witnessed the event or were part of the rescue efforts as well. Should you have been involved and are feeling the effects of trauma related to this incident, please reach out to your available supports. No matter the experience level of an emergency responder, rescue efforts in circumstances such as this pose serious psychological challenges. The care of our emergency services personnel will remain a top priority.
“The Creston RCMP send our condolences to the families and friends of those involved.”
The woman who died, 33 weeks pregnant with her fourth child, a daughter, was Loretta Naylor, the man injured her husband Zach. Their three children were spared the collision, but their grief is overwhelming.
“I am just broken,” nine-year-old Alvin cried to his grandma. “I should have been with them. I would gladly have died if my mother could have stayed. I have cried all my tears, and I am just broken.”
Zach was flown to a hospital four hours away from home and is hospitalized in critical but stable conditiuon, having suffered two broken legs and severe brain injury. His recovery will be long, his life forever cghanged.
The Creston family holds dual Canadian and U.S. citizenship, and have family in Boundary County.
A GoFundMe account as been established to help the family through this tragedy.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the incident, are asked to please contact the Creston RCMP at (250) 428-9313.