By Ian Holmes

Necessary evil: road closures protect critical evidence after crashes

Jun 21, 2017 | 3:33 PM

NANAIMO — Mounties say there’s good reason behind hugely unpopular road closures after a crash, like the one which snarled highway traffic in Parksville last weekend.

The northbound lanes of busy Highway 19 were closed for several hours on Saturday, June 17 following a three vehicle crash near the Englishman River bridge.

Central Island Traffic Services RCMP Cst. Doug Pennington said a decision to shut down or restrict traffic following serious crashes is made based on the need to preserve evidence. Sometimes long stretches must be closed so the investigation isn’t compromised.

“What do I have? Do I have a motor vehicle infraction or do I have a criminal investigation?” Pennington told NanaimoNewsNOW. “That’s when you have to consider ‘I have to close the highway, or portion of the highway, to preserve the evidence.’”

Pennington noted several motorists illegally pulled U-turns through the centre median on Saturday, blocking the path of a responding RCMP officer. Others took to social media to voice their displeasure with lengthy highway shutdowns.

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Pennington said police prioritize establishing alternate routes to maintain order.

“The problem is when the motoring public decides to find that alternate route themselves, that’s when you have pandemonium because nobody’s leading the charge.”

Pennington said a driver was also ticketed for videotaping the aftermath of Saturday’s crash scene as he drove by. He said often motorists slow themselves down by trying to get a good look at the crash.

“They’re not going through at 40 (km/h), they’re through at 20 or 10, so they can view the scene a little bit longer. View it on TV.”

Saturday’s crash was caused by a man in a southbound truck who lost control, crossed into oncoming traffic and hit two vehicles, according to Pennington.

He said the driver of the truck remains in a Victoria hospital with critical injuries, but is improving. The most seriously hurt from the other vehicles was a woman with broken ribs.

The incident remains under investigation.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes