Aftermath of a fatal incident in Qualicum Beach resulting in impaired driving charges against Jacob Aaron Pardiac of Coombs. (BCHP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

fatal incident

Impaired driving charges laid following catastrophic Qualicum Beach crash

Dec 27, 2024 | 11:54 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — A tragic series of events resulting in the death of an elderly man and injuries to the woman he was trying to help led to several charges.

Jacob Aaron Pardiac, a 29-year-old Coombs man, is charged with six criminal code charges, including impaired and dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm, in connection to an incident on March 2, 2024 at about 2:30 a.m. on Hwy. 19A near Laburnum Rd.

A BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) news release stated the impaired driving charges against Pardiac involve the use of alcohol and cocaine.

Just prior to the collision, a 36-year-old woman from Bowser operating a minivan lost control and crashed into a pole on the side of the highway.

BCHP earlier stated an 80-year-old Alberta man stopped to assist the stranded driver when an oncoming vehicle approached the pair.

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“The man reportedly saw the second vehicle coming and pushed the female driver out of the way which likely saved her life.”

The elderly man was later pronounced dead in Victoria General Hospital, while the woman sustained serious injuries, and the other driver was also injured.

Police reported road conditions were slippery at the time with area snow and hail present in the area.

Court records show Pardiac was charged by the BC Prosecution Service on Nov. 29.

He has procedural court appearance scheduled for Jan. 7 in Nanaimo and is currently not in custody.

None of the allegations against Pardiac have been proven in court.

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