A "spectacular" five-car crash on Port Coquitlam’s Mary Hill Bypass that shut down traffic for hours was apparently caused by someone driving the wrong way on the busy roadway.

Cpl. Jamie Chung of the Coquitlam RCMP said the driver was travelling eastbound in the westbound lane when the collision happened around 9:20 p.m. Sunday night.

"[He] crashed into four other vehicles," Cpl. Chung told CTV Vancouver. "It was a spectacular crash."

Alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, and the driver is being investigated for intoxication.

One man was trapped inside his vehicle and emergency crews had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate him.

Four people were sent to hospital, including two that suffered life-threatening injuries, according to BC Ambulance.

The roadway was closed to traffic for several hours as police investigated.

The driver is not in custody.