Vancouver police say speed is 'definitely' a factor in a crash on the Georgia Viaduct early this morning that killed a 22-year-old Burnaby man and sent three others to hospital.

Const. Brian Montague says the crash happened at about 3 a.m. PT as the car was heading east over the viaduct, a raised stretch of road carrying traffic between east Vancouver and the downtown core.

“It appears as though it failed to make the slight curve in the road and hopped the curb and collided with a pole and a tree," he said.

"There were four men in the car. Three of those men have been taken to hospital with serious and life threatening injuries. One of the men in the car was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The injured passengers were between the ages of 20 and 24 years of age.

Police later confirmed the deceased man was the driver of the vehicle, but wouldn't confirm reports the car may have been involved in a street race at the time.

“It’s a single-car collision. There is only one car directly involved at this point, from what I can see. The damage is quite severe. So speed is going to be a factor in this collision," Montague said.

Georgia Viaduct, Vancouver

“Some of the witnesses we’re speaking to were known to the people in this car. They were travelling together. Whether or not racing was involved — it’s too early to tell.”

Montague said some of those witnesses were in another car, while others were in the area and saw the crash.

The viaduct is closed eastbound from Prior Street. Montague said police may extend to the closure to Clark Drive during the morning commute.