Sea to Sky Highway closed in both directions until after 3 p.m. due to fatal crash

A fatal crash just south of Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway has the route closed until 3 p.m. at the earliest.

Drive BC is reporting Highway 99 is currently closed in both directions north of Callaghan Valley Road due to a fiery crash that left one person dead. According to RCMP, two vehicles were involved in the accident with one driving off the road and catching fire.

Authorities are expecting the highway to reopen sometime between 3 and 5 p.m. Thursday.

When fatal accidents occur, investigators must close the road to collect information on the crash, often involving bringing in authorities from various distances. Roads must be closed until investigations are complete.

This is the second major accident in 24 hours on the route. Wednesday night a large tree fell across the road just north of Horseshoe Bay and caused a pile up that sent eight people to hospital.

Traffic being turned back on the #SeatoSky just south of #whistlerblackcomb due to collision. Hope everyone is okay! pic.twitter.com/m6gw6T1rR0

— Kyle Jasper (@kwjasper) December 17, 2015

The Sea to Sky Highway is closed in both directions north of Callaghan Road near Whistler after a bad crash. pic.twitter.com/l4VJz5Wx3q

— CTV Vancouver (@CTVVancouver) December 17, 2015