The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is investigating after three people were found dead following a single-vehicle crash in South Surrey on Tuesday morning.
In a news conference late Tuesday afternoon, Cpl. Frank Jang said IHIT was called to the scene after Surrey RCMP determined the circumstances of the three deaths were suspicious.
“They determined something wasn’t right,” Jang said.
Police were alerted to a single-vehicle crash on the 32 Avenue Diversion, under the Highway 99 overpass, at approximately 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. On arrival, they found a badly damaged grey sedan, debris scattered across the road and the three bodies.
A Peace Arch News reporter who attended the scene in the early afternoon described seeing one vehicle in the centre of the road, covered with a tarp. Evidence markers were scattered behind thecar, as well as around a section of the concrete underpass.
Police initially reported the incident in a tweet, advising of road closures and asking motorists to avoid the area.
“The investigation is in its early stages and the cause of the collision is not known at this time,” a news release noted shortly after.
Word that IHIT had been called was shared in a tweet issued by Surrey RCMP at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
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Jang said police believe there is no continued risk to the safety of the community.
As well, he said there is nothing to suggest the incident is linked to a shooting or any form of gang violence or conflict.
He declined to definitively link the crash to a second scene – a house that was reportedly behind police tape in the Rosemary Heights neighbourhood of South Surrey. A news release issued by Surrey RCMP at 3:05 p.m. Tuesday advised that an “additional scene of interest has also been identified.”
Jang acknowledged that police are looking into information that there are other locations linked to the car crash.
“Stay tuned for further information, because it’s only been three hours … and I don’t want to give wrong information.”
No information about the vehicle’s occupants was released, as family “haven’t even been notified of their passing,” Jang said.
“We’ve tentatively identified our three decedents, and we’ll go from there in terms of learning the background plus learning any motive behind why exactly this happened today,” he added.
Police are asking for anyone with information about the crash or dash-cam footage to come forward.
The crash happened at a time when there would have been heavy vehicle traffic in the area, Jang noted.
Jang said IHIT is working on the investigation with the BC Coroners’ Service, Surrey RCMP and Integrated Forensic Identification Services.
Investigators were reportedly still at the 32 Avenue Diversion scene late Tuesday night.
Wednesday morning, police were at a house in the 14900-block of 35 Avenue.
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– with files from Aaron Hinks
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