A double fatal crash closed a section of Highway 1 on Wednesday morning, leading to huge traffic backups and delays.
Drive BC said the crash happened just before 12:30 a.m., shutting down all westbound lanes between Kensington Avenue and Sprott Street in Burnaby.
Just before 12:15 a.m., Burnaby RCMP received a report of a pickup truck travelling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 1 that had just collided with another vehicle, a 4-door sedan, that was travelling westbound.
First responders rushed to the scene, but RCMP said that tragically, two passengers in the sedan were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the sedan was taken to the hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries, police said.
RCMP confirmed that the two people who died, a 34-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man from Surrey, who were passengers in an Uber, died at the scene.
The driver of the Uber is a 50-year-old man.
The driver of the pickup truck, a 32-year-old man from Surrey, was arrested and transported to Burnaby detachment for investigation. He was later released, police said.
Joshua Easton was driving on Highway 1 right after the accident happened.
“Both vehicles were horrifically damaged from a front-end collision,” he told Global News.
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“They were mangled to the point where you could see the engines, actually into the engines in both vehicles and they were smoking very badly.”
Easton said, he and a friend ran to the sedan and they could see the driver moving inside, but the engine then burst into flames.
He rushed to grab a fire extinguisher and he put it out and then also doused the truck, which had caught fire.
“At this point, other people had stopped to help and one of those people had a hammer and smashed the passenger window,” Easton added.
The truck driver said he was fine, Easton added so they rushed back to the car to help.
He said they could tell two people were deceased in the back seat and that’s when Burnaby Fire and Rescue Services showed up to take over.
“I just did what I hope anybody would do in this situation,” Easton added.
“I know there’s a family right now that’s hurting and in unbelieveable pain.”
Burnaby RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team (CCIT) and the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS) were called out.
The investigation remains in its early stages; however, police said that alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.
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“This is a tragic incident that has had devastating consequences,” said Cpl. Brett Urano, BC RCMP media relations officer said in a release.
“Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and everyone affected by this collision. Investigators are working hard to collect evidence and determine exactly what happened.”
All lanes reopened early in the afternoon.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has video on Highway 1 in either direction between 1st Avenue and Gaglardi Way, from 12 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, to contact police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact BC Highway Patrol at 604-526-9744 and quote file 2026-3201.
B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation has been criticized in the past for allowing major highways to be closed for hours while investigations are underway.
In July, B.C.’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger said that time is required to document the scene of a serious or fatal incident and while reopening highways as quickly as possible is a priority, it can only happen after investigators have completed their work.
I was hit head-on by a driver under the influence. River Road was closed for hours. I had to be cut from my car. I was driving an Acura ILX and I was hit by a F150 Platinum. I was lucky to be alive. Unfortunately the police were not able to charge the driver. This was 4 years ago. I’m numb down my left side and had to have a full ankle replacement on the right side. I’m now going to have a full knee replacement. I also have PTSD. Someone’s bad decision can cost a life or permanently disable somone. We need more impairment checks. And more education for adults, new drivers and teens on what can happen if you are impaired. Grisly photos of accidents might help.
Once again evidence that road signage is piss poor all over the place especially regarding Hwy 1 and this screams of alternative hiways for when this happens or at the LEAST more on/off ramps so people are not TRAPPED on the highway when this occurs!!
He was released into border officers hands as he is being deported for expired visa. Not actually released free in canada at least.
Durka Durka Durrr
Durkaaaa Durka bin bin Durka
Too many wrong way drivers these days causing mayhem. There was another one in Lantzville a few weeks ago. Alcohol seems to be a factor in both cases.
Thank you to all who stopped and helped. Humanity is still somewhat intact. Big thank you to the FRs and paras who have to deal with these messes. I was one once a long time ago. Try going home and sleeping after seeing the mayhem. Thats why I’m a carpenter instead.
What do we have to do to change the scene here? Drunk driving must stop! If you have even one drink, PUT YOUR F*CKIN KEYS AWAY! IT’S NOT HARD FOLKS!
Hard is telling folks their loved ones are dead. Hard is seeing he horror and disbelieve and rage and tears all come at once as they collapse. Hard is seeing the eyes of children hearing dad or mom is dead or both. Or telling mom and dad their son is dead. Maybe these dead beat drunks should be dragged along to the death knocks as a part of the punishment. Or be forced to see the bodies of those they have killed. Cars can mangle a human pretty awfully. So sick of this self entitled me me me society we live in!
Anonymous
You were late for work and two families have lost their loved ones in a tragic way. Can’t say anyone is terribly sorry for you. Maybe you should take some time to look past yourself.
Complaints that the Ministry of Transportation keeps the highway closed to long? My god, why can’t people get over themselves and their self importance. People, were killed, so many lives have now changed and they can’t find another way to get where they need to be. They are the same ones that would be bitching if it were one of their family members and the investigation was not done to their satisfaction!
I used to go to the liquor store sometimes by my house and by the time I got off work and everything and settled sometimes it would be around nine 10 o’clock when I’d have to go down and I found when I went that late I would always get pulled over right after leaving the liquor store and breathalyzed. It really pissed me off every time. But I guess even if they have to harass and bug 20 people people like me a night they’re gonna get that one guy like this guy off the street and hopefully no longer driving a vehicle ever so I understand it now sorry these people had to lose their lives. I hope everybody in this situation gets help unfortunately this is ICBC and this is Canada so my heart really goes out to them. Good luck.
This is a tragedy – the driver of the pickup should be punished to the full extent of the law. At the same time, I struggle to understand why it is necessary to close the highway for nearly 12 hours to investigate – it would appear to be a fairly clear-cut case. The cost in terms of lost productivity is astronomical.
Two dead and POS drunk driver arrested!
I was late to work this morning because of this >:(