Community Alert: Fatal Highway 16 Collision Near Smithers, BC

A man has died and two others were critically hurt following a serious multi-vehicle collision on Highway 16 West just outside Witset, British Columbia, near Smithers, on the night of April 2, 2026. Investigators with BC Highway Patrol are working to determine the full sequence of events and are urgently asking the public to come forward with information and dash camera footage.

The crash involved a stopped pickup truck and a passing SUV in the westbound lanes shortly after 8:30 p.m. A 60-year-old man from Witset, who had stepped out to assist with a disabled vehicle, was killed. A 45-year-old man from Calgary and a 42-year-old Witset man also sustained serious injuries. Police believe that alcohol may have contributed to this collision and are focusing on the actions of one of the drivers prior to the crash.

Official Incident Details

According to BC Highway Patrol – Smithers, officers were called just after 8:30 p.m. on April 2, 2026, to a collision on the westbound lanes of Highway 16 West, just outside the community of Witset, BC, west of Smithers, British Columbia. Early findings from the investigation outline the following sequence:

• A grey Dodge flatdeck pickup truck had pulled over to the side of Highway 16 due to a mechanical problem.
• Occupants from two other vehicles stopped to provide assistance to the driver of the disabled grey Dodge flatdeck.
• While these individuals were outside their vehicles helping at the scene, a westbound black Chevrolet Tahoe struck the stationary grey Dodge flatdeck pickup.

The collision led to the following confirmed outcomes:

• A 60-year-old man from Witset, who had exited his vehicle to help, was pronounced deceased.
• A 45-year-old man from Calgary, also outside his vehicle to assist, sustained serious injuries.
• The 42-year-old Witset man driving the black Chevrolet Tahoe was seriously injured in the collision.

BC Highway Patrol has indicated that they suspect alcohol was a factor in this incident. Investigators are particularly interested in understanding the conduct of the driver of the black Chevrolet Tahoe in the period leading up to the crash, not only the collision itself.

Request for Witnesses and Dashcam Footage

Police are making a direct appeal to the public, including the CrimeCanada.ca community, for help. Anyone who was driving on Highway 16 West near Witset on the evening of April 2, 2026, especially between Smithers and the crash location, is urged to review any in-car video they may have.

If you:

• Witnessed the moments immediately before the collision, or
• Observed the black Chevrolet Tahoe and its driver in the hours prior to the crash, or
• Have dash camera footage showing driving behaviour in that area during the relevant timeframe,

you are asked to contact investigators as soon as possible.

Information contact line for this investigation:

• BC Highway Patrol – Smithers: 1-250-847-3233
• Please quote file number: (3505) 2026-1078

Your call or dashcam evidence could play a critical role in clarifying what happened on Highway 16 and in supporting the ongoing investigation.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this tragic collision near Witset highlights the ongoing safety risks on major corridors like Highway 16, which serve communities in and around the broader Kitimat–Stikine region. When impaired driving is suspected, the consequences can be sudden and devastating, particularly for good Samaritans who stop to help at the roadside.

To reduce the risk of similar incidents across British Columbia, drivers are urged to avoid any alcohol or drugs before getting behind the wheel, to slow down and change lanes safely when approaching stopped vehicles, and to use hazard lights and reflective gear if they must exit their vehicle on a highway. Prompt reporting of unsafe or impaired driving to police can prevent harm and support safer travel for everyone using our roadways.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the british-columbia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.