A single-vehicle crash has claimed the life of a 33-year-old Langford man.
In a media release, Shawnigan Lake RCMP said they were investigating a collision involving a single motor vehicle which resulted in a fatality.
The crash occurred just before 5:30 a.m. on July 19th on Shawnigan Lake Road near Baden Powell Road.
According to police, early evidence collected at the scene indicated that the vehicle, a black Porsche Boxster appeared to have gone off the road and struck a tree.
The driver, identified as Mike Hammond, was found deceased at the scene. Hammond is a former Victoria hockey player. He played for Nottingham Panthers last season, based Nottingham, England.
“The Nottingham Panthers are devastated to report that forward Mike Hammond has passed away,” the company said in a statement.
“The Panthers would like to send our thoughts to Mike’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
The forward also spent two seasons with Manchester Storm and iced for Coventry Blaze in the Elite Series during the pandemic.
Prior, Hammond played with the Victoria Grizzlies of the BC Hockey League in 2007-2008 before playing two seasons with the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL from 2009 to 2011.
Police continue to investigate the collision as well as the BC Coroners Service to determine the leading cause of the collision and death of the driver.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Shawnigan Lake RCMP at 250-743-5514.
