Friends and family have identified 18-year-old Samir Olyad Suleiman Ali as one of two teenagers killed in a horrific crash on the Burnaby-New Westminster border Tuesday night.
Ali was described on an online fundraising page as a “beloved member of his East Vancouver community.”
“Samir was known by all as compassionate, friendly, bright and wise beyond his years,” the online fundraising page said.
“He was a regular volunteer in his community and most important to him in his life were his faith and the work he did with children.”
CBC News learned Ali’s identity through online fundraising and through conversations with friends and family.
Two teenagers have been identified as the victims of a collision on the Burnaby-New West border Tuesday night after their small car was hit by a Nissan Altima that police say was running from a stop sign.
Police previously said the victims were a 17-year-old from Burnaby and an 18-year-old Vancouver resident. They said they would not release their names out of respect for the families’ privacy.
A memorial is pictured near 10th Avenue and Sixth Street after a collision that killed two teenagers on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
The traffic stop precedes the crash
Metro Vancouver Transit Police say they attempted a traffic stop on the Altima just after 11pm on Tuesday.
Police say the vehicle “fled at a high rate of speed” and was located within five minutes four blocks away at 10th Avenue and Sixth Street on the Burnaby-New Westminster border, where it caught fire after crashing in the Toyota Yaris.
The two teenagers were taken to hospital where they died from their injuries.
The two passengers in the runaway car, a driver and a passenger, were detained and taken to hospital with minor injuries. They are currently in custody.
Const. Amanda Steed said they have already received a number of tips from the public and dashcam footage and are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage to contact Metro Vancouver Transit Police at 604-515-8300 or via message to 877 777.
“It helps us paint a picture of what happened before the accident and the actual scene of the accident.”
The IIO examines the role of the police
While police investigate the incident, the British Columbia Independent Investigation Office (IIO) is conducting a separate investigation to determine whether police actions played a role in the collision.
The IIO, a civilian-led police oversight agency, said it received a tip shortly after the incident and dispatched investigators to the scene.
“Our role on behalf of the public is to understand what the actions of the police were and to determine … whether their actions were justified by law or not,” said Ron McDonald, the agency’s chief civilian director.
Add Comment