Fatal wrong-way crash temporarily closes Coquihalla highway near Merritt

Mikaela Ariar, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
June 16, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Google Maps

CANADA – The morning of June 15, Monday, a driver was killed following a head-on collision on the Coquihalla Highway near Comstock Road. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated they have gathered reports around after 8:00 AM PT of a car travelling the wrong direction in the northbound lanes before it collided with a transport van. It was reported that the vehicle was going southbound in the opposite lanes at a high speed prior to the accident.

The driver and the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Occupants of the transport van sustained injuries that were not life-threatening, was taken to the hospital for treatment. B.C. Emergency Health Services stated one patient was airlifted to hospital in serious condition, while two people were transported by ground ambulance in serious yet stable condition.

The forceful impact prompted the closure of the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt for hours, while southbound traffic remained open. A detour was made available through Highways 1 and 3, and the highway fully reopened by 3 p.m. PT. However, RCMP also requested anyone with a dashcam footage from the area around the time of the crash to come forward for the investigation.