Surrey passenger dies in head-on collision near Merritt
Published 10:19 am Monday, October 19, 2026
One Surrey man is dead and three others are in hospital with serious injuries, following a collision on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt Saturday (Oct. 17) morning.
Police say speed and impairment are suspected factors in the head-on incident, which occurred on Highway 5 at around 8:30 a.m.
According to a news release, BC Highway Patrol responded to “multiple complaints about a vehicle driving southbound in the northbound lanes.”
“While en route to intercept the vehicle, police learned of a head-on collision just south of the Helmer exit near Merritt, B.C. When BC Highway Patrol officers got to the scene, they found a black Toyota Tacoma and a white Toyota Rav 4 that were both heavily damaged,” the release states.
A 24-year-old Surrey man who was a passenger in the Rav 4 died at the scene. Three other Surrey men between the ages of 24 and 38, who were also in the Rav 4, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The collision closed the highway in both directions for several hours.
Police are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam video to help investigators determine what happened.
“We need more video and witnesses who can tell us what the driver of the black Toyota Tacoma was doing before he started driving,” Sgt. Michael McLaughlin said in the release.
“Some witnesses say the black Toyota Tacoma entered Highway 5 near Lac Le Jeune. If you saw what the driver was doing before he started driving, we need to talk to you.”
The lone occupant of the Tacoma, a 22-year-old Coldwater man, had apparently minor injuries and was detained for suspected impaired driving, the release notes.
Anyone who saw the events leading up to the collision, or with dash-cam video, is asked to contact BC Highway Patrol-Kamloops at 250-828-3111; quote file (2100) 2026-2997.