An investigation into the cause of an accident involving a semi truck and a small SUV continues after the crash shutdown the Nanaimo Parkway for most of Wednesday, June 19. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

major incident

Criminal investigation continuing into serious Nanaimo Parkway crash

Jun 21, 2024 | 9:18 AM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties continue probing the circumstances leading to a serious collision along the Nanaimo Parkway earlier this week.

Traffic was blocked off in both directions for several hours after police say the driver of a small SUV drove into oncoming southbound traffic, colliding with a semi truck just south of the Harewood Mines Rd. overpass on Wednesday, June 19 shortly before 6 a.m.

Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said both drivers remain in hospital, while a criminal investigation is ongoing.

“We’ve got a pretty good picture of what’s going on but there were some who left before speaking with police. One was a woman who did emergency first aid with the driver of the car, we didn’t get her name so we’re hoping if she sees this she can give us a call.”

A semi truck remained sprawled across the northbound lanes of the Nanaimo Parkway for most of Wednesday following a serious crash involving a small SUV. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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O’Brien would not comment on whether any charges were being considered, saying it would “only be speculation” at this stage.

“We had RCMP Collision Analyst on scene for most of the day [Wednesday]; that report will be integral with moving forward with any potential charges. Dash cam video, if anybody has that please come forward, it’s excellent evidence, along with eyewitness evidence of anybody who saw or heard things.”

The driver of the SUV remains hospitalized in Nanaimo with minor injuries, while the driver of the semi truck is in hospital in Victoria with serious injuries, O’Brien noted.

The driver of the large dump truck was pinned for a prolonged period of time in the cab of his truck until he could safely be removed by Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews.

Southbound traffic was closed until about 1 p.m., while the northbound lanes opened up shortly before 4 p.m., leading to significant congestion, particularly for motorists entering and passing through Nanaimo from south of the city.

The small SUV reportedly veered into oncoming traffic just prior to the accident, forcing the driver of a semi truck to take evasive action. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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