A 24-year-old man has died from injuries he sustained after an impaired driver collided with his vehicle while driving the wrong direction on a highway.
On Wednesday, July 19th, Nanaimo RCMP received a report of an erratic driver on Nanaimo Parkway which caused a two-vehicle head-on collision near the Cedar overpass.
At around 10 p.m. police were already responding to the report of the erratic driver who was behind the wheel of a Dodge Caravan.
The Caravan was driving the wrong direction down the Nanaimo Parkway and eventually struck another vehicle head-on.
The vehicle he collided with was a Toyota Yaris with only one occupant.
Following the collision, witnesses reported that the erratic driver exited his vehicle and fled the scene of the collision on foot. Witnesses told Victoria Buzz the suspect vehicle burst into flames moments after the crash.
The 24-year-old victim, who was behind the wheel of the Yaris, was immediately taken to Nanaimo Regional Hospital in serious condition with life-threatening injuries.
Police deployed a K9 unit and the driver who caused this tragic collision was found shortly after. It was determined the 59-year-old suspect was impaired at the time of the collision and was subsequently arrested.
He was also taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
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On Friday, July 21st, Nanaimo RCMP announced that the young victim of this collision had succumbed to his injuries while in hospital.
Police say the erratic driver remains in hospital while his injuries are being tended to and is expected to recover.
“Our sincere thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
Investigators are asking for motorists with dashcam video of the collision or pre-driving video to call Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
