B.C. Daily Digest — Dec. 24, 2025

Highway 1 head-on crash in Surrey — serious injuries, one dead

• What happened: Three-vehicle head-on collision on Highway 1 in Surrey, B.C., around 7:15 a.m. Monday in the westbound lanes.
• Victim: Maria Elizebeth Flores-Estrada was seriously injured (broken legs and arm). Her daughter, Betsabe Flores, rushed to Royal Columbian Hospital.
• Casualties: One person died. Collision involved a vehicle that crossed from eastbound lanes.
• Notes: Family stresses how life can change in a moment.

Burnaby man pleads guilty to sextorting teens across Canada

• Accused: Anwer Jelassi, 21, of Burnaby.
• Pleas and dates: Guilty pleas on Dec. 22 to extortion involving eight victims (Oct. 14–Nov. 8, 2022), extortion Dec. 22–25, 2023, secretly recording sexual activity (about Dec. 22, 2023), distribution of child pornography (Oct. 17–30, 2022), and publication of intimate images without consent (Oct. 14, 2022–Jan. 23, 2023). Also pleaded guilty to breach of undertaking (Dec. 22, 2023).
• Scope: Victims reported in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario; offences alleged to have occurred in Burnaby.

Neighbours intervene in alleged Penticton sexual assault — arrest

• Incident: Neighbours and staff from a supportive housing facility intervened in an alleged sexual assault Monday evening near a Penticton home.
• Action: Resident Alex Waddington and others stopped an attacker whose pants were down; police arrested and charged a man. Quick community response likely prevented a worse outcome.

Young bear rescued after suspected burn while hibernating

• Location: Near Dawson Creek; rescued by Northern Lights Wildlife Society (Smithers).
• Timeline: Report received Saturday evening; rescue authorized Sunday. Animal: young female bear found curled on road, believed burned, now under care at wildlife centre over Christmas.

Fatal hit-and-run in White Rock — vehicle seized, driver sought

• When/where: Tuesday, 12:41 p.m., 15600 block of Cliff Avenue.
• Response: Bystander performed CPR; person pronounced dead at scene. RCMP have identified and seized a suspect vehicle; driver remains at large. ICARS called to process scene. Police ask for dashcam or witness footage.

Health Canada seizes unauthorized products in Maple Ridge stores

• Where: Maxximus Supplements and Cutting Edge Nutrition in Maple Ridge, B.C.
• What: Dozens of unauthorized products seized including injectable peptides, anabolic steroids, testosterone compounds and Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) — none authorized or assessed for safety in Canada.
• Advisory: Health Canada warns of significant health risks and urges anyone with affected products to stop use and seek medical advice.