Fatal crash on Highway 1 in Burnaby causes huge traffic delays

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.

The driver of the pickup truck was arrested and transported to Burnaby detachment for investigation.

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.

“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.