Two UBC students are dead following an overnight single-vehicle crash on campus.
University RCMP says first responders and officers were called to the area of Northwest Marine Drive near Stadium Road just before 2 a.m..
Police said the driver of a vehicle had veered off the road and struck the pair, an 18-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman, who were walking on the sidewalk.
Images from the scene show a vehicle flipped on its side with its engine compartment crushed into the rear end of a silver BMW.
The 21-year-old driver was arrested and taken to hospital with minor injuries. He was released pending a future court date.
Mounties have not ruled out whether speed, drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.
‘Our community mourns with you’
In the wake of the crash, UBC president Santa Ono released a statement saying the UBC community was mourning the deaths.
“It is difficult to comprehend and express the enormity of the loss of these two bright and promising young adults,” Ono wrote.
“On behalf of the university, I wish to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and loved ones. Our community mourns with you.”
Cole Evans, president of the UBC Alma Mater Society, said counselling and peer-to-peer support services are available to those affected by the tragedy.
“It’s sort of a combination of shock, sadness, and grief,” Evans said. “And I know there are a lot of people who also want answers, too, to why this happened.”
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who has video shot in the area at the time to contact University RCMP at 604-224-1322.
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