A 24-year-old man from Surrey has died following a crash on Highway 5 near Merritt Saturday, the BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) says.

Police say that around 8:30 a.m., they received multiple calls about a vehicle driving southbound in the northbound lanes. While they were on the way to intercept the vehicle, they learned of a head-on crash just south of the Helmer exit.

Officers say that when they arrived, they found a black Toyota Tacoma and a white Toyota RAV4 that were both severely damaged. A picture taken at the scene shows the Tacoma on its side and the RAV4 partially on the concrete median barrier.

The Surrey man, who was a passenger in the RAV4, died at the scene, the BCHP says. Three other men from Surrey, aged between 24 and 38, were in the vehicle and have all been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The driver and sole occupant of the Tacoma, a 22-year-old man from Coldwater, has been arrested for suspected impaired driving, police say. He suffered minor injuries.

Police are turning to the public for help in their investigation.

“We need more video and witnesses who can tell us what the driver of the black Toyota Tacoma was doing before he started driving,” said Sgt. Michael McLaughlin.

“Some witnesses say the black Toyota Tacoma entered Highway 5 near Lac Le Jeune. If you saw what the driver was doing before he started driving, we need to talk to you.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the BCHP – Kamloops at 250-828-3111 and refer to file (2100) 2026-2997.