Victims of fatal weekend crash in downtown Kamloops were TRU international students

A photo of the scene. (via Brendan Kergin)

The two individuals who died in this past weekend's car crash in downtown Kamloops were international students at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

The school's president, Brett Fairbairn, confirmed the news in a statement issued today (Nov. 4).

"Our deepest thoughts are with their families and loved ones, and on behalf of TRU, I offer our condolences. As these were international students and alumni, our concern is also for our colleagues at TRU World. We grieve with them, along with others — friends, classmates and professors," reads the statement.

Police were called to Battle Street and First Avenue at 1:40 a.m. on Nov. 3, following a report of a collision between a blue pickup truck and a red sedan. 

When RCMP arrived, two occupants in the car were already deceased. Two others in the vehicle, also TRU international students, were taken to hospital, one in life-threatening condition and the other with non-life threatening injuries. 

The driver of the pickup fled the scene on foot before the cops showed up. Mounties caught up with the owner of the pickup later in the day and arrested him. 

Fairbairn says counselling services are being offered to students, faculty and staff. 

For privacy reasons, TRU will not be releasing the identities of the crash victims. 

According to the latest update from Kamloops RCMP, the owner of the pickup was released on Sunday with no charges. 

Cpl. Jodi Shelkie tells KamloopsMatters police are still investigating who was behind the wheel of the truck, noting it could take weeks, if not months, to have an answer. 

Meanwhile, the two deceased were males in their 20s, she says. 

The investigation continues, with the BC Coroners Service, the serious crime unit and the integrated collision analysis reconstruction services and forensic identification participating.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call police at 250-828-3000.