By Dominic Abassi

Police still investigating cause of devastating crash on Hwy. 19

Aug 10, 2017 | 3:10 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — RCMP know what happened, now they’re trying to figure out why a semi-truck plowed into two vehicles on Hwy. 19, seriously injuring three people.

Central Island Traffic Services Sgt. Darrin Ramey said based on reports from witnesses and investigators, it appeared a pickup truck and car in the southbound slow lane were just starting to move through a green light at the Horne Lake Rd. intersection on the Inland Island Hwy on Wednesday, Aug. 9 around 4 p.m.

“When from behind, a semi-truck did not slow down and hit the back of the vehicles driving one vehicle to the right, the other to the left,” Ramey said, adding the big rig carried on along the median for another 250 metres before stopping.

Ramey said crash analysts were at the scene on Thursday and they’re still trying to figure out what happened to the semi-truck driver at the time of the crash.

All three drivers were alone in their vehicles and were all taken to hospital, Ramey said. The driver of the car was airlifted to Victoria and all are now listed in stable condition with serious injuries.

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The highway was briefly closed while the air ambulance landed and there were single lane closures in both directions for nearly five hours.

Ramey said the speed and size of the vehicles involved made for a spectacular scene.

“My two members there have about 20 years experience. They both said this was the largest debris field they have ever seen. Probably a circle with a radius of 250 metres.”

Ramey said it’s too early to determine if any charges could be coming.

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi