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Community remembers Kelowna woman who died in motorcycle crash

Erin Lewis collided head-on with a pickup truck on the night of Aug. 26
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Traffic backed up along Highway 33 on Aug. 26 after a fatal collision. (Barry Gerding - Black Press Media)

Residents of Kelowna are expressing condolences to the family and friends of Erin Lewis, the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash on Aug. 26.

The incident happened in the late evening, which closed off Highway 33 in both directions. DriveBC reported that the highway didn’t open up again until 11:45 p.m., after crews cleared the scene of the collision.

Kelowna resident died after the motorcycle she was riding collided with a pickup truck.

Cpl. Mike Halskov with RCMP Traffic Services said a group of four motorcycles were turning onto Highway 33 near Pyman Road and were travelling westbound toward Kelowna.

One of the motorcyclists failed to keep right, colliding head-on with an eastbound pickup truck that was legally passing a commercial vehicle in one of the two eastbound lanes.

According to friends, Lewis worked for WestJet and was a kind, funny and loving person. Friends also said she had a contagious laugh. Lewis also worked for the Central Okanagan School District as an education assistant, focusing on students with special needs.

Friends said she was planning on working at the school district full time this year to help students adjust to the new normal in schools as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

“She loved this work, and the kids loved her,” a co-worker told Black Press Media.

Friends and family are leaving their condolences on her obituary as COVID-19 restrictions are keeping them from seeing Lewis’ family.

“Erin will be so missed by all who knew her. I have never met such a kind, funny, loving person. We had so many laughs and stories she shared with us,” her friend Diane said.

“The twinkle in her eye, her contagious giggle, the love she had for life and people will forever live on in my heart,” Megan Coakley said.

READ: Kelowna woman dies following motorcycle crash on Highway 33


Twila Amato
Video journalist, Black Press Okanagan
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Twila Amato

About the Author: Twila Amato

Twila was a radio reporter based in northern Vancouver Island. She won the Jack Webster Student Journalism Award while at BCIT and received a degree in ancient and modern Greek history from McGill University.
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