A high-value Oceanside RCMP truck was substantially damaged while responding to a call-out in Bowser. The crash occurred off the northbound shoulder of the Old Island Hwy., involving a police truck going south just prior. (Jon Starnes)

By Ian Holmes

Police crash

VIDEO: ‘His speed was really, really high:’ Oceanside RCMP criticized for lights and sirens crash

Oct 24, 2025 | 12:30 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — A local resident says an Oceanside RCMP officer needs to be held accountable for putting the public’s safety at risk while responding to an evolving situation in Bowser.

Late in the afternoon of Oct. 13 on Island Hwy West at Crescent Rd. East an Oceanside RCMP police cruiser hit a civilian vehicle, then the Mountie’s truck smashed into a tree at Qualicum Beach Golf Course.

Island District RCMP Cpl. Alex Berube was referred by Oceanside RCMP to provide a statement to NanaimoNewsNOW regarding what occurred.

“Early evidence gathered at the scene indicates that a civilian vehicle was attempting a left turn onto Crescent Rd. when a police vehicle attempted to pass on the left while responding to an emergency. The police vehicle attempted an evasive action to avoid a collision; however, was not able to do so. The driver of the vehicle was transported to hospital for assessment,” Cpl. Berube stated.

The officer noted further details could not be shared as the investigation is ongoing.

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In a brief follow-up note, Cpl. Berube stated he didn’t believe the Independent Investigations Office of BC was involved.

The unfolding emergency was a severe Bowser house fire, in which a motorist is alleged to have rammed into the home and ignited a structure fire.

In a release, Oceanside RCMP provided limited information regarding the crash.

“While responding to this unfolding emergency one of the Oceanside detachment police vehicles was involved in a collision at the old Island Hwy and Crescent Rd E in Qualicum. Both vehicles involved sustained significant damage and luckily there were no major injuries.”

The driver of a Toyota RAV4 was said to be shaken on scene, but not seriously injured.

Concerned citizen speaks out
Jon Starnes of Qualicum Beach was heading north on the Island Hwy at the Lee Rd. intersection in French Creek, when he said a police vehicle was fast-approaching from the opposing direction.

He said the police vehicle sped directly beside his truck.

“His speed was really, really high and very unsafe. Anybody else would have been charged with reckless endangerment, but these guys are rolling around here putting more lives at risk,” Starnes told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Video of the pass by was captured on Starnes’ dash cam.

Starnes was returning south to Qualicum Beach several minutes later where he saw the same truck severely damaged after hitting another vehicle and a tree at the golf course.

While he fully understands there are scenarios where emergency responders need to rush to scenes, he said the public’s safety needs to top of mind.

“I totally understand that part, they still need to keep other people around them safe”

Starnes added he was not surprised to see the same police cruiser barreled into a tree.

“He probably was doing 80 kilometres per hour when he hit that tree. When you look at the amount of crumpling that happened in that truck, every air bag was off, the sign that he hit was just blown all over the place.”

Starnes said he’s “100 per cent sure” the same RCMP truck that passed him prior to the collision was involved in the crash, pointing out several other different police vehicles passed by him, including unmarked units.

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