Two people are dead after a crash that closed a stretch of Highway 1 through Burnaby for hours Wednesday morning, with police saying they believe alcohol was a factor. Mounties say the crash involved a pickup truck that was driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes. They say the driver collided with an Uber shortly after midnight leaving the 50-year-old driver with serious injuries and his two passengers dead. The victims were a Surrey man and woman, both in their 30s. “The suspect is a 32-year-old male from Surrey,” said Cpl. Brett Urano with B.C. RCMP. “He was held in custody for a time but has since been released pending further investigation.” While some had expressed frustration with a highway closure that lasted over 12 hours and snarled traffic on the morning commute, the RCMP stressed it was necessary to properly investigate what happened. “Out of respect to the two deceased individuals and most importantly their family, their friends, we kept the highway shut down maybe a little longer than some might have wanted, but in the end we did it for the integrity of the investigation, as well as justice for the families,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj with Burnaby RCMP. The westbound lanes of Highway 1 were closed between Kensington Avenue and Sprott Street until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash-cam video from Highway 1 in either direction between First Avenue and Gaglardi Way from 12 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. is urged to contact police at 604-526-9744.
