Two UBC students dead after being hit by vehicle near campus
Posted September 26, 2021 8:20 am.
Last Updated September 26, 2021 2:07 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The RCMP is confirming two 18-year-old students are dead after they were hit by a vehicle early Sunday morning.
Mounties say they received a call around 1:45 a.m., to a single vehicle crash on North West Marine Drive where two pedestrians were hit by the vehicle near the Student Residence.
BREAKING 2:45am: there’s been a bad crash on SW Marine Drive just west of the @UBC Botanical Garden. It’s closed in both directions. No other details have been provided to me at this time. Stay with @NEWS1130 & @CityNewsVAN for the latest. pic.twitter.com/0fhOusSU42
— BEN WILSON (@BenWilsonThings) September 26, 2021
The Vancouver Fire Department and Emergency Health Services also attended, and the two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say their preliminary investigation suggests the driver of the vehicle “veered off the side of the road and hit an 18-year-old male and an 18-year-old female walking on the sidewalk.”
Both victims have been confirmed as UBC students.
BREAKING 2:45am: there’s been a bad crash on SW Marine Drive just west of the @UBC Botanical Garden. It’s closed in both directions. No other details have been provided to me at this time. Stay with @NEWS1130 & @CityNewsVAN for the latest. pic.twitter.com/WYu3L0fvOB
— BEN WILSON (@BenWilsonThings) September 26, 2021
Mounties have confirmed a 21-year-old man was arrested at the scene. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries, and has since been released. Police say he will appear in court at a later date.
“This is a tragic incident that has impacted the whole University community. Our thoughts are with the families and friends during this difficult time,” University RCMP Cpl. Ian Sim said.
Police say they are still determining whether speed, alcohol or drugs were factors in the collision, saying, “they have not been ruled out.”
In a statement, UBC President Santa Ono says the incident is difficult to comprehend and express the “enormity of the loss of these two bright and promising young adults.”
“On behalf of the university, I wish to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and loved ones. Our community mourns with you,” Ono writes.
Ono says grief and trauma counseling is available to UBC students, and is encouraging students to speak to residence managers.
“I expect more details will emerge in the coming days that may further deepen our sadness. Out of respect for the privacy of the families, the university will not be revealing the identities of the students at this time,” he says.
University RCMP is seeking any witnesses or dashcam video of the incident. If anyone has any information, University RCMP is asking you to come forward and please contact them at 604-224-1322.
