Police say alcohol and speed likely factored into a horrific two-vehicle crash in Surrey that left a man fighting for his life and also sent a father and his young child to hospital.
According to investigators, a car was travelling southbound on 134 Street Saturday night at a high rate of speed when it crossed a median and struck a northbound truck before hitting a tree.
The crash was caught on surveillance camera from a nearby house. One video appears to show the truck trying to swerve out of the path of the incoming car when it is struck.
Another camera angle shows the car slamming into a tree just seconds after hitting the truck – with debris seen flying across 134 Street.
“I just hear screeching, I see a car speeding,” said witness Preeti Nandda. “It was just crazy. Horrible. It doesn’t seem like anybody would survive in the other car.”
The loud noise had neighbours rushing outside to help.
When Anveet Sandhu checked on the driver of the truck, she discovered a toddler in the back seat.
“The child, she was so shocked I guess. We gave her a blanket, gave her some water,” Sandhu said. “[The driver] was so into shock he kind of forgot that his daughter was in the car with him and then when my mom opened the door…she’s like ‘You have a child,’ and then he kind of panicked.”
The Good Samaritans pulled the little girl from the truck and she and her father were rushed to hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries.
The driver of the car was reportedly knocked unconscious by the crash, according to witnesses.
Firefighters had to cut off the car door and the male driver was rushed to Royal Columbian Hospital where he remains with critical injuries.
Police say both alcohol and speed could have led to the driver losing control of his car.
An investigation is ongoing and charges have not yet been laid.
