A serious vehicle crash on 10th Avenue on the New Westminster and Burnaby border left two people dead Wednesday morning.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police said in a release that on Tuesday night at 11 p.m. officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop at the intersection of 10th Avenue and 6th Street in New Westminster.
However, the vehicle, believed to be a white sedan, took off at a high rate of speed, police said.
A short time later, the vehicle was found on fire, after causing a multi-vehicle collision, Transit police added.
The driver of the sedan and the passenger were arrested at the scene and the two occupants of the other vehicle were taken to the hospital but they both passed away.
Both suspects remain in custody and charges of prohibited driving, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and flight from police are being recommended.
BC Emergency Health Services confirmed they responded to the crash around 11 p.m. Tuesday.
“Paramedics cared for and transported three patients to hospital, two of them in critical condition,” BCEHS said, in an email.
Roads were blocked, with 10th Avenue closed from Canada Way to 2nd Street and 6th Street closed from 11th Avenue to 8th Avenue on Wednesday morning. They re-opened around 9 a.m.
Transit Police, with the assistance of the Burnaby RCMP Serious Crimes Unit, are investigating while the Independent Investigations Office of BC has been contacted due to the police-involved incident.
If anyone witnessed this incident or has dash camera footage they are asked to contact Metro Vancouver Transit Police at 604-515-8300 or text them at 87-7-77.