A young Coquitlam man was arrested last week — and his vehicle impounded — after driving through a fatal crime scene.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins told the Tri-City News this morning, Oct. 25, that the driver was immediately arrested for obstruction after he ignored the city road closure barricades and police crime scene tape that were up to investigate the collision.
The two-vehicle accident happened on Oct. 19, 2023, around 10:20 a.m. at the intersection of Coast Meridian Road and David Avenue on Burke Mountain.
A passenger of one vehicle has since died from their injuries while the driver remains in hospital.
Hodgins said the driver of a red Dodge Dart who drove through the collision scene narrowly missed emergency personnel.
And he could have compromised evidence, but did not.
"It is extremely fortunate that no one was injured while working within this cordon off crime scene," Hodgins stated in a news release.
"We want to remind the public to slow down and move over for emergency services, as well as obey road closure signs. This provides all roadside workers and emergency personnel greater protection from accident and injury."
B.C. drivers who don't adjust their speed or fail to move over face a $173 traffic violation ticket and three penalty points, which could lead to a driving prohibition.
Anyone with information on the fatal collision and/or the vehicle that drove through the crime scene is asked to contact the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2023-28209.
