Squamish RCMP need more information on fatal crash

Police are asking for anyone with information on a fatal Squamish crash Sept. 2 to please come forward with what they know.

On Sept. 22, Squamish RCMP held a press conference at the local detachment about the crash. 

They are also appealing to the truck driver involved to get in touch with the police, said Insp. Robert Dykstra, Sea to Sky RCMP's Officer-In-Charge.

“We know there are witnesses who have not yet spoken to the police. I am extending an appeal to those witnesses to come forward,” said Dykstra. “In addition, I’m extending a second moral appeal to the truck driver to do the right thing and to come in and speak to our investigators about the events of that night.”

The driver was taken in by police shortly after he fled the scene, but he was later released, Dykstra said. 

No charges have been laid at this point, nor do police know what charges they would pursue without further evidence, they said at the conference.

“We will wait until we collect all the evidence and information,” said Dykstra. “The reason this person hasn’t been arrested yet, again, is we don’t have the evidence of which to arrest them. So, this is why we’re asking people to come forward.”

Police previously reported that a truck drove over the sidewalk on Cleveland Avenue and Pemberton Avenue on Sept. 3 at around 11:25 p.m., however, have since said it was Sept. 2 at 11:25 p.m. The truck involved in the incident was a white 1999 Ford F-250.

The truck also crashed through a chain link fence, damaged a bus stop sign and flipped over.

In the process, the vehicle crashed into two women who were waiting at a bus stop. Both suffered serious injuries and were hospitalized.

Gurpreet Sangha, 46, was seriously injured in the crash and died on Sept. 16 from her injuries. 

A memorial to Sangha has appeared at the scene.

“The family are grieving the loss over the last six days. Our lives have changed since the incident,” said Lakhbir Saran, a family member of Sangha. “We seek justice for Gurpreet and never want anyone else to go through this kind of pain.” 

BC Coroners Service has confirmed that it is investigating the death that resulted from this incident.

The second victim has since been released from the hospital.

The Squamish RCMP ask anyone with information about the incident to contact Const. Pratheep Thavarajah at 647-549-7053 or email at [email protected].

~With files from Steven Chua/The Squamish Chief

*This story has been updated with new information since it was first posted. And while police say the victim was 44, the memorial poster suggests she was 46, so we updated the story to match the memorial.