Police tight-lipped about West Vancouver crash that killed 2, injured 3; some victims still not identified
West Vancouver police aren’t revealing many details about a two-vehicle crash on Highway 1 just before midnight Wednesday night that left two people dead and sent three others to hospital.
“From what we have determined, the primary cause of this collision is we have a vehicle travelling the wrong way on the highway. The circumstances that led up to that continue to be under investigation,” said Sgt. Chris Bigland, who added the collision happened near the Westport exit.
“Because we have not identified all of the parties that are affected and have not notified their families, we are not sharing any details about the collision.”
Police won’t say which vehicles the deceased and injured victims were travelling in, or where the wrong-way vehicle may have entered the highway, only that it was travelling east in the westbound lanes and there were no calls to 911 before the crash.
“Because of the significance of this event, we want to be absolutely certain that when we release what we believe to be a clear picture of the pre-collision events that they are accurate and we have released that information affording all dignity to those affected by this collision,” said Bigland.
It’s not the first catastrophic head-on collision on that part of Highway 1. In September 2022, six people were injured — two of them critically — when a camper van travelling the wrong way caused a multi-vehicle, chain-reaction crash. A 29-year-old woman is facing five charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm in that case.
“Road design is designed with a purpose to prevent these types of events from occurring. The images that are being circulated clearly indicate how traumatic and catastrophic two vehicles travelling in opposite directions can (be),” said Bigland.
Police don’t believe alcohol was a factor in the deadly crash Wednesday night. They are appealing for witnesses and dash cam video to help collision investigators determine why it happened.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Israel presses forward on two fronts as fears of a wider war mount
Israel pressed forward on two fronts Wednesday, pursuing a ground incursion into Lebanon against Hezbollah and conducting strikes in Gaza that killed dozens, including children.
Albertan first Canadian veteran to compete in Mrs. Universe pageant
In less than a year, an Alberta woman has gone from gracing the stage at her first pageant to competing at the Mrs. Universe pageant in South Korea. She's making history by becoming the first Canadian veteran to compete internationally.
Northern Ont. trial begins with shocking details about murder scene
The jury at the trial of a second-degree murder suspect in Sudbury on Wednesday heard graphic details of the crime scene discovered in a Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day 2020.
Bloc leader says ultimatum stands after Liberals vote against motion seeking boost to seniors' benefits
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says his ultimatum to the government stands, after the Liberals voted against a motion seeking money to boost seniors' benefits on Wednesday.
Cop in hospital after being shot in midtown Toronto; shooter sought
Toronto police are searching for a suspect who they say shot and injured an officer near Yonge and Eglinton Wednesday afternoon.
Japan airport shut after likely Second World War-era bomb explodes near runway, 87 flights cancelled
A regional airport in southwest Japan was closed on Wednesday after a U.S. bombshell, likely dropped during the Second World War to stem "kamikaze" attacks, exploded near its runway, causing nearly 90 flight cancellations.
Canadian figure skater suspended at least 6 years for 'sexual maltreatment'
Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Sorensen has been suspended for at least six years for 'sexual maltreatment,' the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner announced Wednesday.
Scientists discover large cold-water soft coral garden in Newfoundland
A project team from Newfoundland's Marine Institute has uncovered a nearly 10,000-square-metre cold-water soft coral garden, hidden just underneath the surface of the province's Funk Island Deep.
'Dream scenario' for Poilievre as Conservatives open up 20-point lead with NDP, Liberals tied
The latest Nanos numbers show Pierre Poilievre and the federal Conservative Party have opened up a significant lead, and Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have fallen back into a statistical tie with the NDP.