One dead in fiery single-vehicle crash in Burnaby
One man is dead after a serious crash along the Burnaby-Vancouver border.
The investigation blocked traffic Tuesday morning along Boundary Road during morning rush hour.
Police and firefighters from both Burnaby and Vancouver were called to Boundary Road near Canada Way at about 12:45 a.m. after reports of a vehicle fire as a result of a collison.
“Unfortunately, the driver was found deceased immediately when they did arrive on scene due to the severity of the collision itself,” said Staff Sgt. Maj. David Douangchanh during a news conference late Tuesday morning.
Investigators say a black Jeep Cherokee was travelling northbound on Boundary Road when it plowed into a tree and caught fire.
The driver was the only person inside. He was trapped in the vehicle and died on scene.
“We would like to thank the multiple witnesses who attempted to save the driver and contacted emergency services,” said Cpl. Alexa Hodgins of the Burnaby RCMP.
“We understand that this type of event can be traumatic, however the actions of the witnesses are nothing short of heroic,” said Hodgins.
Two of those Good Samaritans were taken to hospital for minor smoke inhalation.
“We hope they have a speedy recovery, and we do commend them for their actions,” said Douangchanh.
Video taken moments after the attempted rescue shows the SUV fully engulfed in massive flames with small explosions happening inside.
Police say speed was a factor in the crash.
“The speed is yet to be determined on how fast, however, we do believe it was excessive speed that did contribute to the cause of the collision itself,” said Douangchanh..
It was a high impact crash, the airbags were deployed, the vehicle was almost unrecognizable, and there were crushed car parts all over the road.
“We don't believe there's any other factors in play or any other vehicles in play in question at this time,” said Douangchanh.
First responders later placed a tarp over the driver's side of the mangled vehicle.
It took firefighters several hours to dismantle the crumpled vehicle enough so the coroner’s service could remove the body.
The SUV came to a stop in the centre median but Burnaby RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team has taken over the investigation.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or may have dash-cam video from Boundary Road between Grandview Highway and Kingsway Avenue between 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999.
Boundary Road between Canada Way and 22nd Avenue was closed in both north and south directions for about eight hours, but has since reopened.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.