RCMP continue to search for a man believed to have caused a fatal head on collision on Hwy. 1 Saturday morning. He is accused to stealing a vehicle and fleeing the scene. (submitted/Nikki Faber)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FATAL CRASH

‘He did have brief contact with officers:’ suspect left fatal Oyster Bay crash scene after speaking with police

Aug 31, 2020 | 10:12 AM

UPDATE — Officers from South Vancouver Island Traffic Services made contact with the man Monday morning where he told them he plans to turn himself in.

EARLIER — LADYSMITH — The driver of a pickup truck believed to have caused a fatal crash on Hwy. 1 north of Ladysmith allegedly spoke to police before making his getaway.

A 35-year-old woman from Ladysmith was killed in a head on collision after her SUV was hit by a Ford F-150 which crossed the centre median on Saturday, Aug. 29.

RCMP Cpl. Mike Halskov told NanaimoNewsNOW the driver of the F-150 spoke with police in the aftermath of the incident before allegedly stealing a vehicle and driving away.

“He did have brief contact with officers at the scene initially and made his escape from there. He was actually seen and recognized,” Halskov said.

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Halskov said the man is a recent resident of Vancouver Island, originally from the Lower Mainland, but was unable to provide further details.

“We would encourage the suspect driver to seek medical attention for any injuries he may have sustained in this crash and also consult with a lawyer and consider turning himself in.”

Police recovered the stolen vehicle between Ladysmith and Duncan on Sunday, however the suspect’s location is not known.

Halskov said leaving the scene of an accident, particularly one causing death, increases any potential charges.

“Now we’ve gone from a crash where somebody has died to now where you’ve left the scene to try and escape criminal or civil liability which bumps things up to criminal negligence or failure to remain at the scene of a crash causing death or bodily harm. We want to get individuals like that off our roads,” Halskov said.

The BC RCMP Traffic Twitter account said police typically don’t identify suspects publically until Crown counsel approves charges.

Traffic on Hwy. 1 was significantly delayed for several hours on Saturday as RCMP investigated and crews cleaned up the scene.

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