Oct 7, 2024 6:36 PM - Connect Newsroom - Jasmine Singh with files from The Canadian Press
Surrey RCMP say a 33-year-old man has died after a pickup truck collided with a bus stop bench, injuring another pedestrian and causing significant property damage on Saturday afternoon.
Police say the crash happened when a Ford F-350 truck crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into a bus stop bench, where two people were waiting. The impact killed one man instantly and left another man, also in his 30s, with minor injuries.
The driver of the truck was arrested at the scene, and investigators say speed and drug use have not been ruled out as possible factors. RCMP confirmed that the Major Collision Investigation Unit is leading the inquiry and is appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage from anyone who may have seen the crash.
Police responded quickly to the scene, and parts of the area were temporarily cordoned off as crews assessed the damage. The crash caused visible destruction to the bus stop structure and nearby property.
Community members in Newton and Fleetwood, where many residents rely on transit daily, have expressed deep concern about the growing number of pedestrian-involved collisions in Surrey. Several local advocacy groups have renewed calls for better road safety measures, including speed enforcement and protective barriers near busy bus stops.
RCMP spokesperson said the detachment sends its condolences to the victim’s family and is committed to determining what led to the deadly crash.