Police believe drugs were a factor after a 52-year-old man driving a Chrysler Sebring clipped another vehicle while passing them on Hwy. 19 A. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

hwy closure

Investigation continues after two-vehicle accident on Hwy. 19A

Sep 7, 2021 | 10:59 AM

NANAIMO — Police believe drugs may have factored into a late-night crash which partially closed Hwy. 19A.

Emergency services attended the scene along the highway near Oliver Rd. around 9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 6 after a two vehicle accident.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said officers determined a 52-year-old man from Haida Gwaii, driving a Chrysler Sebring, was tailgating another vehicle and attempted to pass in the slow lane.

“At which point the vehicles clipped, the Sebring was airborne and rolled. The driver obviously had his seatbelt on because he had minor injuries but he was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.”

The Sebring was destroyed and had to be towed from the scene.

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The other vehicle involved, a Honda pilot, sustained some damage but the 38-year-old driver was uninjured.

Police quickly determined drugs may have played a factor in the incident.

“[The driver of the Sebring] did admit to smoking marijuana, a blood test was drawn and results are pending on that,” O’Brien said. “He has been issued a 24 hour prohibition and that’s only an interim measure based on the results of the drug analysis.”

Further charges may come from the results of the blood test.

The southbound lanes of Hwy. 19A were closed for just over one hour as police conducted their investigation.

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