Both directions of the Nanaimo Parkway between Aulds Rd. and Mostar Rd. will be closed for roughly two hours on Friday, Aug. 23 to allow for a police investigation. (Google Earth/NanaimoNewsNOW illustration)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

plan an alternate route

UPDATE: Nanaimo Parkway re-opens after closure for fatal crash investigation

Aug 22, 2024 | 8:03 PM

UPDATE — Traffic is flowing against on the Nanaimo Parkway after a morning closure to allow time and space for an ongoing police investigation.

EARLIER, NANAIMO — A section of the Nanaimo Parkway will be closed in both directions for a short period of time on Friday, Aug. 23.

The City of Nanaimo confirmed Nanaimo RCMP will close both directions of Hwy. 19 between Aulds Rd. and Mostar Rd. between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

The closure is to allow RCMP officers time and space to “conduct an investigation”, which RCMP later confirmed is connected to a fatal collision on the Parkway earlier in August.

Travellers are advised to take an alternate route during the closure.

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Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW the closure is linked to a fatal collision which occurred earlier this month.

On Aug. 10, at around 8:30 p.m., a southbound vehicle apparently lost control and crossed over the grassy median into oncoming traffic near the Dunster Rd. overpass.

The car collided with a northbound SUV, resulting in a large fire and the ultimately fatal injuries to the driver of the SUV.

Our reconstruction collision analyst is requiring to go back to that area and use drone footage to review the area, potentially collect further evidence, he can only do it safely [by closing the road].”

It’s possible the work will be completed before 12 p.m., but police opted to announce a longer closure out of an abundance of caution.

O’Brien said RCMP are aware it will be an inconvenience for drivers.

“The exit points are fully marked, vehicles south and northbound will be directed to go in different routes. We appreciate it will cause some angst with the public but I know they’ll understand why we’re doing this.”

Police said at the time of the crash the driver of the vehicle which lost control suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

The roadway was closed between Aulds Rd. and Mostar Rd. for several hours as police conducted an initial investigation.

No criminal charges have been laid in connection to the incident, however police said they were still seeking dash cam footage or other evidence regarding the car which crossed into incoming traffic.

A large fire resulted from a fatal collision along the Nanaimo Parkway in early August, which killed the driver of a northbound SUV. (submitted photo/Bradley Bullock)

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