(Image Credit: Jaynie Lambert via Facebook/Coquihalla Road Reports (And Area))
Coquihalla Watch

Driver killed after travelling in wrong direction on Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt

Jun 15, 2026 | 8:47 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — UPDATE (12:00 p.m.): A vehicle collision that has halted northbound traffic on the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt throughout the morning is confirmed to be fatal. 

Merritt RCMP say they were told of a small car travelling in the wrong direction on Highway 5 near Comstock Road at 8:08 a.m. Monday. Five minutes later, police received a report saying the car was involved in a head-on collision with a transport van in the northbound lanes, with initial witness reports indicating the car was speeding. 

In a news release issued Monday morning, RCMP say the driver and sole occupant of the car was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the van suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were sent to hospital for treatment. 

The northbound lanes near the collision are expected to reopen at 3:00 p.m. as investigators continue to assess the scene. 

Anyone with dash camera video from the area around the time of the collision is asked to contact Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262. 

UPDATE (11:00 a.m.): The northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt are expected to reopen at 3:00 p.m.

EARLIER: A vehicle incident has halted northbound traffic on the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt Monday (June 15) morning. 

DriveBC first reported of the incident in the northbound lanes on Highway 5 just south of Coldwater Road, nearly nine kilometres south of Merritt, at around 8:30 a.m. 

A photo posted to social media shows a plume of smoke coming from a vehicle. 

Drivers travelling southbound on the stretch of Highway 5 are told to expect delays as emergency vehicles are expected in the area. An assessment is underway. 

A detour is available via the Trans Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon. 

Another update from DriveBC is due at 11:00 a.m. 

This is a developing story, and more information will be provided once it’s available.