A large section of the Nanaimo Parkway was closed early Thursday morning after a vehicle reportedly collided with a semi truck, rolled and caught on fire. (submitted photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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UPDATE: Traffic resumes after two killed in early morning Nanaimo Parkway crash

Feb 20, 2025 | 8:16 AM

UPDATE — Traffic resumed travel along the Nanaimo Parkway around 2:20 p.m., however congestion is expected to last through Thursday afternoon.

EARLIER, NANAIMO — Two people have died after an early morning crash along the Nanaimo Parkway.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Sherri Wade said the incident involved a car and a semi-truck at the Parkway and south Jingle Pot Rd. intersection, just after 4 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20.

“A car was travelling northbound on Hwy. 19 and turned left on a red light, and then was struck by a southbound semi-trailer who had the green light.”

Wade said both the driver and passenger of the car were killed in the crash, while the driver of the semi-truck was uninjured and remained on scene.

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RCMP investigators remained on scene Thursday morning, at the Nanaimo Parkway and Jingle Pot Rd./Third St. intersection. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The car flipped and caught fire immediately after the collision, coming to rest in nearby trees.

RCMP are not releasing details on the names, ages or hometowns of the driver or passenger.

First responders closed off a large section of the Parkway to conduct their investigation.

Traffic was shut down in both directions from Northfield Rd. to Cedar Rd.

Wade said the extended closure for northbound traffic between Fifth St. and Cedar Rd. was made by the B.C. ministry of transportation and highways to more safely accommodate commercial vehicle traffic by having them go through downtown Nanaimo.

Investigators kept the highway closed until just after 2 p.m.

Tow trucks were on scene to take away the wreckage of a car and a semi truck from the Thursday morning accident. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

An RCMP drone was seen flying over the accident scene, collecting video evidence, around 9:30 a.m.

Residents nearby reported seeing a BC Emergency Health Services Air Ambulance leaving the area shortly after the crash.

Significant delays were seen throughout Nanaimo as a result of the crash.

Heavy traffic volumes were seen along the Old Island Hwy. and several main arterial roads, including Bowen Rd., Wakesiah Ave. and through downtown Nanaimo.

Commuters are advised to allow extra time to get to where they need to be this morning.

A semi truck without a trailer rests just off the roadway at the Jingle Pot Rd. and Nanaimo Parkway intersection, after an earlier incident involving another car. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A map of the closed areas on Thursday morning, as of 8:20 a.m.(Google Maps)

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