8-day-old baby among 3 dead in highway crash near Castlegar, B.C.: police

RCMP are investigating after a crash near Castlegar, B.C., killed three people on Monday, including a baby who was just days old.

A car and a pickup truck collided on Highway 3A near the remote community of Thrums just before 4 p.m. PT, according to RCMP.

Police said three people in the car were killed: a man, 26, a woman, 25, and an eight-day-old baby.

A two-year-old child who was also in the car was taken to hospital and is expected to survive.

RCMP said the initial investigation suggests the driver of the car made a U-turn into the path of the pickup truck.

"These are unfortunate circumstances that had a tragic result, especially considering one of the deceased is an eight-day-old infant. Their life was ended before it began," said Staff Sgt. Kris Clark.

Clark said it will be difficult, if not impossible, to determine why the car might have made a U-turn because the driver has died. He said the man was driving and the woman was in the passenger seat.

Clark said some of the passengers were related, but could not confirm how.

RCMP are investigating whether any additional factors led to the crash, but Clark said officers "don't have information to suggest that drugs or alcohol or speed" played a role.

The driver of the pickup was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who might have more information is asked to contact Castlegar RCMP at 250-365-7721.