By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Motorcyclist in critical condition after crash in Nanaimo

Apr 9, 2018 | 4:45 PM

NANAIMO — UPDATE: Police now say alcohol was not a contributing factor in a crash involving a motorcyclist and van in Nanaimo on Sunday, April 8.

The 23-year-old man riding the bike was seriously hurt when he was hit by a van which turned from the Island Hwy. onto 107th St.

Police stated investigators continue probing the speed on behalf of the motorcylist and the actions of the driver of the van at the time of the collision.

Mounties originally said it was believed alcohol and speed were factors on behalf of the motorcyclist, who remains in hospital in Victoria.

Police said both vehicles were destroyed in the crash.

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EARLIER: A motorcyclist is in critical condition and passengers of a van are traumatized after a crash near Country Club Centre.

RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said the crash happened just before midnight on Sunday, April 8. A van was turning left off the Island Hwy. onto 107th St. when it was hit at high speed by a motorcycle heading north.

“(Investigators) believe alcohol and speed were definitely contributing factors with the motorcyclist,” O’Brien said. “Both those factors were ruled out with the driver of the van.”

Both vehicles were destroyed in the crash.

The 23-year-old motorcyclist was taken to Nanaimo Hospital with life-threatening injuries and then transferred to Victoria several hours later.

Though not seriously injured, O’Brien said both the driver of the van and his passenger were traumatized by the ordeal.

The highway was closed for several hours Sunday night.

There were several witnesses to the crash, helping with an investigation which is still ongoing.

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