A pickup truck driver has been arrested following a dramatic crash that saw the vehicle collide with a building, split in half, and erupt in flames during the early hours of Friday morning.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) reported that the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. near Renfrew Street and East 22nd Avenue. The grey GMC Sierra, travelling southbound, collided with another vehicle before careening off the road and smashing into a nearby nursing home.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the pickup truck became engulfed in flames upon impact. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, transporting the driver and passenger of the pickup to the hospital. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the occupants of the other vehicle or the building residents.
The 34-year-old driver, following medical evaluation, was placed under arrest and is now facing charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and impaired driving. In addition, he has been issued a 90-day Notice of Driving Prohibition and is set to appear in court for further proceedings.
The VPD continues its investigation into the crash and has seized the charred GMC Sierra for further analysis.
If you have any information regarding the incident, please reach out to the VPD Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.
