74-year-old woman killed by speeding driver south of Nanaimo Thursday night

A 74-year-old woman is dead after being t-boned by a speeding vehicle that ran a red light on the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) Thursday night.

The crash occurred just before 9 p.m. at the intersection of Cranberry Avenue and the highway.

Several witnesses told police the deceased driver was in the process of legally turning left onto the TCH when her vehicle, a Chevrolet Aveo, was struck broad-sided (t-boned) by a Dodge Ram pickup.

The pick-up, driven by a 47-year-old male, was travelling southbound on the TCH and failed to stop at a red light before driving through the intersection at a high rate of speed, according to police.

Cst Gary O’Brien said the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

RCMP said the driver of the truck sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the Nanaimo hospital. He was later flown to a Victoria hospital.

“Although it’s early on in the investigation, alcohol and speed are believed to be contributing factors,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

That section of highway was closed for about 6 hours while investigators, including an RCMP Collision analyst, examined the scene.

Both vehicles will undergo mechanical inspections.

Investigators are asking for anyone who has not previously spoken with them and has dashcam video, to please contact Nanaimo RCMP Traffic Unit at 250-754-2345, and quote file # 2021-18403.