New Hazelton RCMP continue to investigate a motor vehicle incident that claimed the lives of two people on October 1.

 The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Highway 16 West, near Braucher Road, when a westbound pickup truck collided head-on with a semitrailer truck in the eastbound lane of the highway.

 The driver of the semitrailer truck was transported to hospital for treatment of his injuries. Unfortunately, the driver and passenger in the pickup truck did not survive the incident. The deceased are a 39-year-old man and a 24-year-old man who were both local to the area.

 “Our sincere thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the deceased as they navigate this difficult loss. Recognizing the impact this has on the local community, New Hazelton RCMP Indigenous Policing Services officers are working closely with the affected First Nations bands and will continue to offer support where needed,” states Corporal Jennifer Cooper, BCRCMP Spokesperson for Northern B.C.

 The RCMP Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (CARS) attended the scene to assist investigators. Though the highway was initially closed in both directions for several hours while emergency crews were on scene, it has since been fully reopened.

 This investigation remains ongoing.