Oceanside RCMP say a vehicle involved in a two-car crash along Hwy. 19A north of Qualicum Beach on Thursday, was stolen days prior from a central Nanaimo home. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

two-vehicle crash

Vehicle stolen from Nanaimo involved in suspected impaired driving crash

May 3, 2024 | 11:09 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — A potentially intoxicated motorist allegedly plowed into an oncoming SUV on Hwy. 19A in Qualicum Bay, entrapping both drivers.

The crash on the undivided two-lane highway near Sunny Beach Rd. occurred on Thursday, May 2 just before 3 p.m., according to Oceanside RCMP Sgt. Shane Worth.

“There was a northbound Mercedes that crossed the centre line and struck an SUV which was southbound. It was determined upon arrival that the northbound Mercedes was actually a stolen vehicle,” Worth told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Bow Horn Bay Volunteer Fire Department crews quickly responded and used the jaws of life to extricate both drivers.

There were no passengers in either vehicle, with both drivers sustaining non-life threatening injuries, Worth noted.

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He said the driver of the Mercedes, a 28-year-old man of no fixed address, was flown to hospital via air ambulance.

The driver of a Buick SUV, a local Oceanside area woman, was taken via ground ambulance to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for treatment.

Worth expects charges will eventually be filed against the driver of the Mercedes.

“At the very minimum the possession of stolen property for the vehicle, and depending on the results of the continued investigation, the impaired driving portion, that may also be a possibility as well.”

The suspect vehicle, a grey/blue 2004 Mercedes sedan, was reported stolen from a Nanaimo home on Putter Pl., located off Rock City Rd., during the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 30, according to Nanaimo police.

A report filed with Nanaimo RCMP stated access to the home was gained through a patio door where the car keys were stolen from inside the home, while food and alcohol were also taken.

-with files from Alex Rawnsley

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes