Traffic alert: Westbound lanes of Hwy 1 in Burnaby closed after crash

A multi-vehicle crash on Highway 1 in Burnaby partially blocked traffic Tuesday morning.

Westbound lanes between Gaglardi Road and Kensington Boulevard are expected to remain closed for several hours, making the morning commute difficult.

Burnaby RCMP said the crash happened just before 3 a.m. east of Kensington Boulevard.

Investigators say five vehicles were involved.

In the video taken at the scene, a car and a taxi are badly smashed and the debris is scattered on the road.

Corporal said, “5 people, 3 of whom were slightly injured and 2 of whom were seriously injured, were taken to the hospital.” Burnaby RCMP’s Mike Kalanj said in a press release Tuesday morning.

All westbound lanes of Highway 1 were immediately closed so the Lower Mainland Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service could investigate.

“Although it is still early in the investigation, impairment is not believed to be a contributing factor at this time,” Kalanj said.

However, he told CTV News that early indications are that weather and possibly speed may have been a factor, as there was standing water on the road at the time of the crash.

Westbound lanes of the freeway are expected to be closed for the remainder of the morning commute and possibly into the afternoon.

“Police are advising travelers this morning to plan an alternative route. If they can work from home or delay the start of their workday, we encourage them to do so,” Kanlanj wrote.