Two people are dead following a head-on collision on Highway 19 near Lantzville early Thursday morning, according to BC Highway Patrol (BCHP).

Police say the crash happened around 3 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Island Highway North near Ware Road, involving a blue Kia Sedona minivan and a grey Volkswagen Jetta.

The two occupants of the Volkswagen were pronounced dead at the scene.

BCHP says the 16-year-old driver of the Kia was arrested for impaired operation causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death. The youth was taken to hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

“Police have already spoken to multiple witnesses who say that the blue Kia minivan was driving north in the southbound lanes at the time of the collision,” said Sgt. Michael McLaughlin of BCHP.

“We need to speak to more witnesses and gather more video to confirm the exact sequence of events.”

Investigators say the Kia had been seen in Nanaimo about four hours before the crash, near the intersection of Third Street and Pine Street.

BCHPl is asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash-camera footage, surveillance video, or other information related to the incident to contact BCHP in Parksville at 250-954-2953 and quote file number 4201-2026-28277.