Speed and impairment are suspected after a fatal head-on collision on Highway 5 near Merritt

Speed and impairment are suspected after a fatal head-on collision on Highway 5 near Merritt, and police are asking for witnesses and video to determine the exact sequence of events.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, at 8:30 a.m., police were called to Highway 5 (the Coquihalla) while getting multiple complaints about a vehicle driving southbound in the northbound lanes.

While en route to intercept the vehicle, police learned of a head-on collision just south of the Helmer exit near Merritt.

When BC Highway Patrol officers got to the scene, they found a black Toyota Tacoma and a white Toyota Rav 4 that were both heavily damaged.

“We need more video and witnesses who can tell us what the driver of the black Toyota Tacoma was doing before he started driving,” says Sergeant Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “Some witnesses say the black Toyota Tacoma entered Highway 5 near Lac Le Jeune. If you saw what the driver was doing before he started driving, we need to talk to you.”

A 24-year-old Surrey man who was a passenger in the white Toyota Rav 4 died at scene. Three other Surrey men between the ages of 24 and 38 were in the white Toyota, and all three were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The lone occupant of the black Toyota Tacoma, a 22-year-old Coldwater man, had apparently minor injuries and was detained for suspected impaired driving.

If you saw the events leading up to the collision, or you have dash-camera video, or you witnessed the actions of the driver of the black Toyota Tacoma before the collision, please call BC Highway Patrol – Kamloops at 250-828-3111 and quote file (2100) 2026-2997.