ON June 26 at approximately 11:40 p.m., a vehicle travelling east in the westbound lanes of the Trans Canada Highway near Westport Road in West Vancouver caused a head-on collision, resulting in the tragic death of two people and sending the remaining two passengers to hospital.

The West Vancouver Police Department’s Major Investigation Team initiated a criminal investigation, and the driver was subsequently arrested.

Melesesh Sahalo, 25, of Vancouver, has now been charged by the BC Prosecution Service with two counts of dangerous operations of a conveyance causing death and two counts of dangerous operations of a conveyance causing bodily harm. She will appear in North Vancouver Provincial Court on Wednesday, February 26.

“This was a detailed and lengthy investigation into a terribly tragic event, and we are pleased to have charges sworn,” said West Vancouver Police Sgt. John McCormack. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the survivors and to the family and friends of those who were killed that day.”

The West Vancouver Police Department thanked their investigative partner, the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS), as well as West Van Fire and Rescue and BC Emergency Health Services for their response.

As the matter is now before the courts, no further details are available at this time, police said.