Representatives from Mid Island Towing were unable to comment on the situation due to the pending criminal investigation. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

arrest made

Tow truck driver seriously hurt after hit by alleged impaired driver on Hwy 19 in Lantzville

Jan 12, 2022 | 3:34 PM

NANAIMO — A tow truck driver is recovering after being struck by an alleged impaired driver on Hwy. 19 north of Nanaimo.

RCMP said around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan.11, 2022, a driver from Mid Island Towing was assisting a pot hole-damaged vehicle parked on the side of Hwy.19 northbound near Rumming Rd., north of Lantzville. The vehicle was one of several vehicles sidelined due to poor highway conditions.

While he was outside of his truck, the driver was struck by a passing green Dodge Caravan. He suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver of the Caravan is accused of driving off.

The tow truck driver was transported to hospital, while the Dodge Caravan was located a half-hour later parked in Nanoose Bay. Witnesses of the collision were able to provide RCMP with the van’s license plate number.

Police believe the male driver of the Caravan was impaired by alcohol and was arrested. He was taken to the B.C. Highway Patrol (BCHP) office in Parksville where police said his breath sample was over three times the legal limit.

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The motorist was custody as of Wednesday morning, and his vehicle was seized and will undergo a forensic investigation.

Cpl. Mike Halskov from the BCHP said the province’s ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ legislation was created to keep all emergency responders safe from this type of incident. The legislation requires motorists to slow down whenever they see any type of emergency vehicle lights, including tow trucks.

“For tow trucks and road crews who are out there preparing the roads, it gives those workers an opportunity to work from a safer vantage point by having vehicles slow down and give them a wide berth so they can make it home to their families at the end of a shift.”

The RCMP is looking for any other witnesses to this event. Anyone with information, including any dash cam footage, to please contact BCHP in Parksville at 250-954-2953 and reference file 2022-25.

The tow truck driver is expected to make a full recovery.

This stretch of Hwy. 19 has been an issue for drivers all week starting on Monday, when the potholes grew to the point of causing major vehicle damage.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow