A semi driver died and another is in a coma following a three-vehicle crash on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Revelstoke on Saturday.

Staff-Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky said the crash happened near Albert Canyon when a tractor trailer heading eastbound and 鈥減otentially travelling too fast for conditions and the roadway,鈥� crossed the centre line and struck two oncoming vehicles 鈥� a pickup truck carrying a family and an empty logging truck 鈥� before going off the road.

鈥淭he driver of the vehicle that went off the road was located in the cab of vehicle,鈥� said Grabinsky. 鈥淭he truck was decimated and he succumbed to his injuries.鈥�

The driver of the logging truck is in a coma in Kamloops, he added.

Fortunately, the family in the pickup ended up only a little banged up, but their vehicle and boat were destroyed, said Grabinsky.

The crash happened at around 3 pm., not long after the highway re-opened following a closure for avalanche control in Glacier National Park.

Grabinsky said driver behaviour was always a concern following road closures.

鈥淲e observe dangerous behaviour 鈥� passing on double solids, trying to make up that time, trying to be ahead of the pack, and that is very concerning for us,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are not certain this is what caused this accident at this time, but time wise it was in such close proximity.鈥�

The fatal incident resulted in a 10 hour highway closure while police and the coroner investigated the accident and the scene was cleaned up.