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Maple Ridge man killed in crash near Hope

Man, 26, lost control of his pickup truck which rolled down an embankment
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A man from Maple Ridge was killed after he lost control of his pickup truck in the Sunshine Valley east of Hope on Sunday.

An on-duty Fraser Valley traffic services officer was flagged down around 6 p.m. by a passing motorist who reported an accident on Highway 3, 32 kilometres east of Hope.

According to police, the 2002 Ford F150 pickup had just crossed the Skagit Bridge when it veered onto the gravel shoulder.

“It would appear the driver attempted to take corrective action and steered the pickup back onto the roadway, however control of the pickup was lost,” said Sgt. Peter Thiessen.

The truck travelled across the highway and hit two trees as it went down an embankment and plunged into the Skagit River. The truck was partially submerged when police and paramedics arrived.

The driver of the pickup – a 26-year-old man from Maple Ridge - succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while his passenger – a 21-year-old woman, who is also from Maple Ridge - was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Police said a preliminary investigation revealed weather and road conditions were not factors in the crash. Speed, alcohol, mechanical trouble and driver inattention have not been ruled out thus far.

• Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Const. Richard Clark of Fraser Valley Traffic Services at 604-702-4039.