BC Highway Patrol has taken over an investigation into a fatal two-car collision on Highway 1 in Burnaby that closed the highway for about 10 hours.
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A fatal two-car collision on Highway 1 in Burnaby prompted a lengthy closure on Wednesday morning and has left two people dead, with investigators now confirming BC Highway Patrol is leading the file.
According to Burnaby RCMP, the force received a report just before 12:15 a.m. that a pickup truck was travelling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 1. The truck collided with a four-door sedan travelling westbound, authorities said.
RCMP, Emergency Health Services and the Burnaby Fire Department responded to the scene. Burnaby RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Brett Urano said two passengers in the sedan were pronounced deceased at the scene, while the sedan driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
Urano said the driver of the pickup truck was arrested at the scene and transported to the Burnaby RCMP detachment for further investigation. Criminal Collision Investigation Team (CCIT) investigators and ICARS—Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service—also attended, reflecting the response’s technical nature and the need for detailed scene work.
As of the latest updates, police characterized the investigation as still in its early stages and said alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the major collision.
The incident was first posted by DriveBC on social media shortly after midnight, with the announcement that BC Highway Patrol had taken over the investigation made about 12 hours later, shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 23.
DriveBC later confirmed that Highway 1 had reopened westbound at Kensington, though drivers were advised to expect lingering delays due to congestion and crews clearing lane closures.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam video covering Highway 1 in either direction between 1st Avenue and Gaglardi Way from midnight to 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026 to contact police.
Information can be provided by phone at 604-526-9744, with the file number 2026-3201 referenced when calling.
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