Driver suffering medical emergency dies after crashing into a tree in Vancouver

A driver died Thursday after apparently suffering a medical emergency and crashing into a tree in central Vancouver.

Vancouver police responded shortly before 5 p.m. to a single-vehicle crash at East Mill Plain Boulevard and North Andresen Road.

Witnesses told officers they saw a Toyota sedan in the left-turn lane before it suddenly accelerated, hitting a curb and tree, the police department said.

Medical personnel performed CPR on the driver. The driver was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to Vancouver police.

The department did not release the driver’s identity.

Based on the sudden acceleration and lack of apparent steering, investigators believe the driver suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash, the agency said.

Vancouver police’s Traffic Unit is continuing to investigate.