Just three days after Highway 3 was closed for almost seven hours following a fatal crash, a second one led to partial closures of the highway for five hours east of Osoyoos.

Osoyoos RCMP and other first responders were called to the crash on Jan. 8 around 2:20 p.m., with the driver and sole occupant of one vehicle being pronounced dead at the scene. 

Similiar to the Jan. 6 crash that killed a 58-year-old passenger and seriously injured a 19-year-old passenger, one of the vehicles in the Jan. 8 crash crossed lanes into the path of oncoming traffic. 

"The investigation is ongoing and factors that caused the east bound vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic is not yet determined," said Sgt. Jason Bayda, head of the Osoyoos RCMP detachment. 

Ice is believe to have contributed to the Jan. 6 crash, however RCMP stated that the conditions on Jan. 8 were wet and sanded, and in relatively good condition at the time of the collision.

The driver of the vehicle that crossed into the lanes of traffic was a 75-year-old woman. The two occupants of the vehicle in the other lane received non-life-threatening injuries.

"This is the second fatal collision on this stretch of highway in the past three days and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of all involved," said Bayda.

Highway 3 remained open to single alternating traffic with the exception of short intermittent closures. The highway was fully reopened at 7 p.m.