The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man and a woman who died following a motor vehicle incident near Cranbrook on Dec. 5, 2013.

The female was Lyla-Maria Arcilla Mortensen, aged 18, of Slocan, and the male was Joel William Drew Franklin, aged 19, from Winlaw.

Ms. Mortenson was the driver and Mr. Franklin the passenger in a vehicle which went out of control and collided with a pickup truck on Hwy 3/95 about 24 km southwest of Cranbrook about 12:25 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2013. Road conditions were noted to be very icy at the time. Both Ms. Mortensen and Mr. Franklin were deceased at the scene.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate these deaths.

The families of Ms. Mortensen and Mr. Franklin have been notified of the deaths. On behalf of family members, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.

Contact:

Larry Marzinzik
Regional Coroner, Interior Region
BC Coroners Service
250 861-7429