Driver who drove through fatal crash site in Coquitlam arrested
Posted October 25, 2023 11:29 am.
A driver who reportedly “disregarded city road closure barricades and police crime scene tape” at a fatal crash site in Coquitlam has been arrested, according to the RCMP.
Mounties say it happened in the area of Coast Meridian Road and David Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 19, while police were responding to a serious two-car crash.
A passenger in one of the vehicles has since died from their injuries, while a driver is still in the hospital.
The RCMP says while the road was closed for the investigation, the driver of a red Dodge dart ignored road closures and entered the crash site.
“The vehicle narrowly missed emergency personnel,” Mounties explain, with Corp. Alexa Hodgins adding, “It is extremely fortunate that no one was injured while working within this cordon off crime scene.”
One man has since been arrested and his car has been impounded.
“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,” Hodgins said.
Drivers are reminded that they are “required to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped alongside the road that have flashing red, blue or yellow lights,” according to the province.
Drivers who fail to adjust their speed or move over could be fined $173 and receive three penalty points. They may also face a driving prohibition.
