Police investigating after dead body found on Highway 1 in Burnaby

Highway 1 eastbound in Burnaby was closed to traffic during Tuesday’s morning rush hour after a man’s body was found on the road.

Burnaby RCMP said officers were called just before 5:55 a.m. about a man lying in the eastbound lanes of Highway 1, just east of the Kensington Avenue exit. The man was clearly dead and had injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle, said Sgt. Michael McLaughlin of the RCMP’s highway patrol.

Police closed eastbound lanes for several hours to preserve evidence as investigators work to determine whether the man was killed in a hit-and-run.

“We are investigating all possibilities and have not ruled anything out at this point,” said McLaughlin in a statement. “It’s crucial that we speak to anyone who saw anything unusual on Highway 1 near Kensington between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. this morning.”

The closure caused major delays and slow downs on the highway as drivers had to detour between the Kensington Avenue and Gaglardi Way exits. The lanes reopened to traffic after noon on Tuesday.

Police are seeking dashcam video from anyone driving near the Kensington Avenue exit in the half-hour before the body was reported to police. Police are interested in the footage even if it doesn’t show the collision as there might be important information in the background.

Anyone with dashcam video, or who saw anything unusual in the area, is asked to call the highway patrol at 604-526-9744.

chchan@postmedia.com