British Columbia Police reported that at about 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, a white Toyota RAV4 traveling northbound on Highway 5 was struck by a black Toyota Tacoma heading southbound near the Lac Le Jeune area, close to Merritt. The collision involved four occupants in the RAV4, all aged between 24 and 38, one of whom was the fatal victim, Jaskeerat Singh Naukhria, a recent immigrant who had secured permanent residency a week earlier.
Jaskeerat, 24, had arrived from India in 2024 and was awarded permanent residency on May 20, 2024, according to Canadian media reports. His friends and family launched a $100,000 GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral and memorial expenses, noting that his sudden passing has left the community heartbroken.
The Tacoma driver, a 22‑year‑old resident of Coldwater, suffered minor injuries and was detained on suspicion of impaired driving. Police said they had received multiple complaints about a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes before the crash, and the driver is expected to face an impaired‑driving charge.
Three passengers in the RAV4 were transported to the nearest hospital, with two reported in critical condition. Paramedics confirmed the injuries were severe, but no further details have been released. Families of the injured await updates from the health authorities.
The investigation remains active, and the provincial transportation department has temporarily reduced speed limits on the affected stretch of Highway 5. Coroner findings are pending, and authorities will release additional information once the inquiry is complete.