Body discovered inside burnt vehicle on Highway 97C near Merritt

The investigation is continuing today following a single vehicle fire that closed Highway 97C on Tuesday.

DriveBC first reported of the police incident on Highway 97C between the City of Merritt and Brolin Road at around 3:00 p.m. Tuesday (April 22) afternoon. The stretch of Highway 97C was closed for more than seven hours but partially reopened to single-lane-alternating traffic at around 10:30 p.m.

In an RCMP release issued on Wednesday, officials report emergency services responded to a single vehicle fire, located along Highway 97C and the discovery of a single deceased occupant in the vehicle.

“The Southeast District Major Crime Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. At this time, the cause of the fire and any potential foul play remains under investigation” said Staff Sergeant Jason Smart, NCO i/c of the Southeast District MCU.

Earlier in the day, authorities determined that there was no additional danger to the public with regards to the incident.

More to come…