A crash along Hwy. 1 at Cranberry Rd. in south Nanaimo claimed the life of a woman after she was hit by a vehicle running a red light. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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NANAIMO — Local Mounties have charged a Nanaimo man following a significant car crash last year.

Colin Hewitt, 50, was arrested Friday, Aug. 26 at his home and later charged with dangerous driving causing death, impaired driving causing death and impaired operation over .08 causing death.

He is accused of being behind the wheel of a vehicle travelling south along Hwy. 1 around 9 p.m. on May 20, 2021. Witnesses told NanaimoNewsNOW at the time, a vehicle ran a red light at Cranberry Rd. and collided at a high rate of speed with a woman in her car turning left onto the highway.

RCMP said the woman, 74-years-old, was pronounced dead at the scene with “catastrophic injuries”.

Witnesses also estimated the vehicle to be travelling over 100 kilometres per hour down the hill leading to the crash site.

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Hewitt appeared in court Friday and was later released from custody on bail and a promise to appear in court on Sep. 12.

He has previously received Motor Vehicle Act tickets for cycling without a helmet and excessive speeding in the early 2000’s. He was also charged with failing to provide a sample in 2001.

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