A driver was airlifted to hospital Sunday after a crash along Hwy. 19 near the Church Rd. overpass. The incident shut down northbound traffic on the highway for several hours. (Image Credit: Aoiffe Carberry)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

highway closure

Driver injured in highway crash near Parksville, police seek information

Jan 19, 2026 | 9:35 AM

PARKSVILLE — One person was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after a crash along the Island Hwy, prompting a police investigation.

The incident occurred on Sunday, Jan. 18 just after 2 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Hwy. 19 at the Church Rd. overpass, north of the Hwy. 4A interchange, involving a vehicle travelling northbound losing control and veering off the roadway.

BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) states a 38-year-old Courtenay man driving a blue Honda Civic has life-threatening injuries after his car struck a tree.

A severely damaged Honda Civic after hitting a tree on the northbound lanes of Hwy. 19 near the Church Rd. overpass in Parksville on Sunday, Jan. 18 shortly after 2 p.m. (Image Credit: (BC Highway Patrol))

He was flown to the scene for advanced medical care, with BC Emergency Health Services stating the patient was taken from the scene in critical condition.

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BCHP states it is looking for witnesses, noting a motorist operating a dark grey 2020 Toyota Tacoma “had an interaction” with the Honda Civic at highway speeds.

The driver of the car then lost control, hitting a tree.

“The Tacoma driver left the area without speaking to police, but we want to give them a chance to tell their side of the story,” Cpl. Michael McLaughlin of BCHP stated in a news release.

The Tacoma was last seen proceeding north on Hwy. 19 at a high rate of speed, according to McLaughlin.

An update from Cpl. McLaughlin late Monday afternoon states the truck involved in the crash had been located, but the status of the driver is unknown.

BCHP is pleading for additional witnesses to come forth, including those who may have helpful dashcam video.

Anybody with information is asked to contact BC Highway Patrol in Campbell River at: 1-250-286-5646 and quote file (7001) 2026-108.

The crash resulted in significant traffic details with the Inland Island Hwy. northbound lanes closed for several hours, eventually re-opening around 7 p.m., while southbound traffic was largely unaffected.

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