Driver killed in crash, latest in ‘troubling trend’ in Langley, B.C.

Five people have been killed in crashes over the past six weeks, according to authorities, who say they are stepping up enforcement.

It’s been a deadly summer on Langley roads.

And the tragedies have prompted police to step-up traffic enforcement on rural roads as drivers try to avoid construction on busy streets like Fraser Highway and Highway 1.

Five people have been killed in crashes in the past six weeks, including Monday evening when a 67-year-old father and grandfather died on a rural Langley road after two vehicles crashed. It happened near 256 Street and 48 Avenue.

“I couldn’t really believe the car had actually flipped over like that. It was kind of a huge cloud of…dust and pieces just exploded into the air, all over the place,” said David who lives near the crash site, but did not want his last name used.

He said neighbours rushed to help but could not save the man in a Corvette. So they turned their efforts to the driver of the other vehicle.

“She was not in good shape and scared,” David recalled, explaining how they got the driver out through a window.

“When we pried enough of the glass out… me and another gentleman reached in and picked her up and pulled her out of the car,” he said.

RCMP said the victim was sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

On Tuesday, Mounties were back at the scene of the latest accident. But this time, they were looking for speeders.

“What we’re finding is some motorists are trying to avoid construction zones on the Trans Canada highway and other areas so they take these rural roads,” said Sgt. Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP. “And that’s where we’re asking people just slow down, pay attention to the roads and pay attention to the speed limits.”

“We will be putting measures into place to do more enforcement in these specific target zones. Hence why you’ll see more officers out here on 256 Street and in surrounding rural areas as well,” Sharoom told CTV News.

The cause of Monday’s accident has not been determined, but Sharoom said speed “definitely played a role” in the previous incidents and police would be “looking to see if speed was a factor in this one.”

But David thinks the driver who survived Monday, may have been blinded by the setting sun and missed the stop sign. He said he knows from being on that road himself as the sun is doing down, it can sometimes be impossible to see.

Police said this is a possibility they are investigating.

David is calling for a flashing light at the intersection to warn drivers.

“I wish people slowed down around here,” he said.

Anyone who witnessed the collision and has not spoken with police is asked to contact the Langley RCMP at 604 -532-3200.