Suspected impaired driving crash closes Hammond Bay Rd.

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Two patients were taken to hospital in serious, but stable condition, and a third patient was also hospitalized in stable condition, BC Emergency Health Services confirmed later on Thursday morning.

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Two vehicles were involved in the head-on collision. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

O’Brien said impairment via alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash, however investigators remained on scene through the morning commute on Thursday.

Southbound traffic was being re-routed along Entwhistle Dr., while northbound vehicles were directed through Williamson Rd.

Further details on the incident are expected later Thursday morning.

Hammond Bay Rd. re-opened after being shut down in the area for about five hours.

A nearby resident, who requested to remain anonymous, spoke to NanaimoNewsNOW after being one of the first people on scene.

He said he was getting ready to go to work when he heard tires squealing and the impact of two vehicles colliding.

“Upon arriving at the scene at the end of my driveway, I saw two occupants in a small, black BMW and one occupant in a grey minivan. Nobody was moving at the time, parts were everywhere on the road.”

Mounties closed a section of Hammond Bay Rd. Thursday morning, following a serious two vehicle crash. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

More than a half dozen neighbours rushed from their homes to help, according to the witness.

“We had neighbours jumping in and helping…I had people directed out to control traffic flow and everything else. I called 911 and dealt with them on the phone as things unfolded.”

The witness said both drivers were “in and out of consciousness” after the crash, with the driver of the minivan remaining inside their vehicle.

Both the driver and passenger of the black BMW were able to get out of their car, with the driver laying on the ground and the passenger sitting on a nearby curb while emergency crews arrived, according to the witness.

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