A 24-year-old Surrey man died after a head-on crash on Highway 5 south of the Helmer exit near Merritt on Saturday.
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The BC Highway Patrol says it received multiple calls around 8:30 a.m. about a vehicle driving southbound in the northbound lanes, and while officers were on their way to intercept the vehicle, they learned of a head-on crash just south of the Helmer exit.
When officers arrived, they found a black Toyota Tacoma and a white Toyota RAV4 that were both severely damaged.
The Surrey man, who was a passenger in the RAV4, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The BC Highway Patrol said three other men from Surrey, aged 24 to 38, were in the RAV4 and have been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Police said the driver and sole occupant of the Tacoma, a 22-year-old man from Coldwater, was arrested for suspected impaired driving.
Sgt. Michael McLaughlin said investigators are asking for video and witnesses who can describe what the driver of the black Toyota Tacoma was doing before entering Highway 5, after some witnesses reported the Tacoma entered Highway 5 near Lac Le Jeune.
Anyone with information is asked to call the BCHP – Kamloops at 250-828-3111 and refer to file (2100) 2026-2997.
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