Police have confirmed that two people were killed in an incident involving two personal vehicles on Thursday (Aug. 14) that closed Highway 1 between Spences Bridge and Cache Creek for several hours.
Multiple 911 calls were received about the incident, which happened just before 5 p.m. on Aug. 14. It took place approximately 20 kilometres north of Spences Bridge, near the boundary between the areas covered by the Lytton and Ashcroft detachments. Lytton RCMP was in charge, assisted by members from Ashcroft.
On Aug. 19, a news release from Lytton RCMP stated that a southbound SUV seemingly crossed the centre line and impacted a northbound pickup truck, with both vehicles engulfed by flames as a result. A total of six people and two dogs were involved in the crash, with a woman from the SUV and a man from the pickup truck suffering fatal injuries.
The driver and two passengers of the SUV, as well as the driver of the pickup, all suffered various injuries and were treated at the scene before being transported to hospital. Both dogs also suffered injuries and received medical treatment.
Numerous social media posts incorrectly stated the number of fatalities, and erroneously noted that one of the dogs was killed. There were also several posts stating that one of the vehicles was a fuel tanker, but police confirm that no commercial vehicles, and no fuel tankers, were involved.
Highway 1 was closed between Spences Bridge and Ashcroft for several hours after the incident, and did not reopen until the early hours of Friday, Aug. 15.
"This remains an active and ongoing investigation and we鈥檙e hoping to speak with anyone who witnessed the crash or may have in-car video," said Staff Sergeant Kris Clark of the BC RCMP. Anyone with any information who has yet to speak with police, or who has CCTV or dash camera footage of the crash, is urged to contact the Lytton RCMP at (250) 455-2225 and cite police file #2025-1638.
