2 people killed, 1 person arrested following Highway 1 crash in Burnaby

2 people killed, 1 person arrested following Highway 1 crash in Burnaby

Police say alcohol believed to be a factor in collision that closed highway Wednesday morning

RCMP say alcohol is believed to be a factor in a Highway 1 crash that left two people dead and one person injured in Burnaby Wednesday morning.

The crash happened shortly after midnight, according to RCMP, when a pickup truck travelling in the wrong direction collided with a four-door sedan going westbound on the highway.

"Tragically, two passengers in the sedan were pronounced deceased at the scene," RCMP said in a statement.

The sedan's driver, a 50-year-old man from Coquitlam, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

More stories from Vancouver-South Coast

Police said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, and the driver of the pickup truck was arrested and taken into custody, though he was later released as investigations continue.

"Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and everyone affected by this collision," Cpl. Brett Urano said in the statement.

In a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, Urano said the suspect was a 32-year-old man from Surrey.

The two dead passengers were confirmed to be a 34-year-old woman, and a 32-year-old man, both from Surrey.

Highway 1, which was closed between Kensington Avenue and Sprott Street for hours Wednesday morning, reopened just before noon PT.

Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Mike Kalanj told the news conference that the area had seen an unfortunate number of crashes recently and over the years.

He said that tens of thousands of commuters may have been impacted by the highway closure, and some may have been upset.

"But just remember that we have two people that didn't make it home last night," he said.

Police said anyone who witnessed the crash, or who has dash cam footage of the Highway 1 area from midnight to 12:30 a.m. PT on Wednesday, should contact them at 604-526-9744 and quote file 2026-3201.