The family of a Hedley teenager who died in a vehicle crash last summer may have to wait up to eight more months before receiving any answers.

Mary Allison, 19, was a member of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band and the youngest of four children.

In a December interview, James Ward, media relations officer for BC Highway Patrol, said the investigation is active and continuing. Ward said in cases like this it can take up to a year for all the necessary reports to be completed.

Following Allison害羞草研究所檚 death, BC Highway Patrol issued a release stating impaired driving was a suspected cause in the fatality.

The crash occurred at about 2:45 a.m., Aug. 5, 2022, near Bromley Rock east of Princeton.

According to an RCMP news release, 害羞草研究所渋t was determined that a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with two occupants left the highway, went down an embankment and entered the Similkameen River, where it partially submerged.害羞草研究所�

A second occupant of the vehicle, a 38-year-old man, was not injured.

害羞草研究所淲here criminality is suspected as a causal factor in a fatal collision, BC Highway Patrol害羞草研究所檚 Criminal Collision Investigation Team is activated to assist investigators due, in part, to the complexity of these lengthy and technical investigations,害羞草研究所� the release stated.

In August, Mary害羞草研究所檚 mother Christine spoke with the Spotlight, describing her daughter as a kind girl who was always bringing home stray cats and who enjoyed drawing.

害羞草研究所淪he had such a big heart and she just trusted everybody,害羞草研究所� said Christine.

害羞草研究所淪he always found the good in people and she helped out wherever she could.

害羞草研究所淚f her friends needed food she wouldn害羞草研究所檛 hesitate to come home and grab food out of the fridge and freezer and go give it to them.

害羞草研究所淪he was so amazing for her little, young years.害羞草研究所�

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com