One person is dead and another in hospital after a two-vehicle crash Thursday morning on Highway 1 in Abbotsford just east of the Whatcom Road exit.
According to RCMP Traffic Services, a witness reported an unsafe lane change and aggressive driving was a contributing factor in a collision between two vehicles heading west on Highway 1 around 5:45 a.m. One of the vehicles, a dark-coloured sedan, entered the median, and the male lone occupant, who wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle and killed. The female lone occupant of the second vehicle was taken to hospital for assessment.
While police have not released the name of the deceased driver, he has been identified online as Richard Burroughs. Jacob Burroughs, his youngest son, wrote that his father was a safe driver who “was going to work like he does every day.”
Police are unable to say which of the vehicles was reported to have been driving aggressively prior to the crash.
Fraser Valley Traffic Services is continuing with the investigation, with assistance from the Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstructionist Services (ICARS) and the coroner. Abbotsford Police Department and Fire Rescue Service also responded to the scene.
“Our thoughts go out to the family who lost their loved one this morning. The RCMP would like to remind the public of the importance of always wearing your seatbelt,” said Cpl. Ronda Rempel of RCMP Traffic Services.
The accident prompted the closure of a lane of westbound Highway 1 and caused significant traffic backups. The close lane was re-opened around 11:30 a.m.
