A 40-year-old man is dead after crashing his motorcycle head-on with a truck on the Trans-Canada Highway Sunday night.

The motorcyclist, riding a blue Suzuki motorcycle, was heading northbound on the Malahat Drive near Aspen Road when he appeared to cross the centre line, striking the southbound GMC Sierra head on.

Three people inside the truck, which was pulling a 30-foot trailer, were sent to hospital with undetermined injuries, according to RCMP. The motorcyclist died at the scene.

RCMP traffic analysts and the BC Coroner Service are investigating the crash, and early reports suggest speed was a factor.

The crash closed part of the Malahat for several hours Sunday night, and many were stuck in traffic until it was reopened at around 1 a.m.

The deceased motorcyclist’s family has been notified.

It was the third crash to close the notorious stretch of highway over the weekend.

On Saturday, four people were sent to hospital after a crash near the Westshore Parkway, two in critical condition and two in stable condition.

RCMP said alcohol and erratic driving were both possible factors in that crash.