Wrong-way driver killed in head-on crash on Coquihalla south of Merritt

Police say one person was killed in a head-on crash in the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway, south of Merritt Monday (June 15) morning.

Merritt RCMP say they were told that a small car was travelling in the wrong direction around 8:08 a.m. this morning. Five minutes later, police said they were told the car was involved in a head-on crash with a transport van.

In a statement, RCMP said initial witness reports indicated that the car was speeding.

“The driver and sole occupant of the car was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Merritt RCMP said in the statement. “The occupants of the transport van sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospital for treatment.”

Police say the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla are expected to reopen at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, once investigators have completed their work at the scene. Updates will be posted here.

People with information or dash camera video from the area around the time of the crash are asked to contact Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262.