Motorcyclist in critical condition after Maple Ridge crash

File photo. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

A motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by a Mercedes-Benz in Maple Ridge early Saturday, according to police.

First responders were called to the intersection of 224 Street and Lougheed Highway around 1 a.m., Mounties said, after a sedan travelling south made a left turn and hit a motorcycle that was travelling north.

Police said the motorcyclist remains in hospital in critical condition Monday.

The Ridge Meadows RCMP’s serious crime unit is investigating the crash and is “looking at all possible contributing factors in this incident, including possibly driver impairment,” the detachment said in a statement.

Mounties noted this was the second serious car crash in a week in the region, after a woman died after crashing into a light standard on Dec. 6, and reminded drivers to stay safe on the roads.

“On Friday night, our Road Safety Target Team removed five impaired drivers from our roadways as part of our ongoing enforcement operations,” Staff Sgt. Chris Kelly said, in the statement. “

That’s five impaired drivers too many, potentially putting themselves and other road users at real risk. Our officers will continue to be out proactively enforcing road safety, and the public can expect to see more of these road checks at various locations throughout the month.”