A man is dead and two others were seriously injured in what Vancouver police are calling a homicide.
Police were alerted to a roll-over crash near Fraser Street and East 55th Avenue around 11 p.m. on Saturday. They arrived to find the victim dead, while the other two men were rushed to hospital.
Police have released few details about what transpired, but say they believe the three men were riding in a vehicle when they were involved in a “confrontation” with people in another car.
“What we do believe is there was some kind of an altercation these three men had with people in another vehicle in the area shortly before the collision occurred that caused the vehicle to roll over,” VPD Sgt. Steve Addison said.
“As a result of something that happened during that altercation the victim’s vehicle did collide with a number of parked cars, ended up on its side.”
Police are not releasing the cause of the victims’ death or injuries. It was also not immediately clear if the man who died was the driver.
Kirin Vanapalli, who lives across the street from the crash, came running out with his roommates when they heard the collision.
“We were unable to see anyone inside the car, because the car (had) completely tinted windows,” he said.
One passenger was able to exit the vehicle on their own, he said, while firefighters had to extract the other two occupants.
“The second guy I think was completely unconscious, I did not see any injuries on his face or his body,” he said. The third occupant was bleeding profusely, he said.
“It’s been quite difficult, because we were in a helpless situation, so it was kind of heart wrenching.”
Police have not made any arrests, and were not able to immediately provide a suspect description.
Investigators are appealing for witnesses and asking for any video shot between Main and Fraser streets and between 41st and 57th avenues from 10:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. Saturday night.
Anyone with information is asked to call Vancouver police.