A Nanaimo man has died after being struck by a car on the Nanaimo Parkway.
The incident happened at about 3:30 a.m. Friday when the victim, 28, tried to cross the highway just north of Woodgrove Mall and was hit by a older model Nissan Sentra driven by a 30-year-old Parksville man.
The driver and his female passenger stayed and attempted first aid until police and firefighters arrived, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident closed both northbound lanes on the Nanaimo Parkway and old Island Highway and traffic was rerouted through Lantzville for several hours while police investigated.
Police said alcohol and speed are not considered contributing factors. No other vehicles were involved and the Nissan has been towed to undergo a mechanical inspection.
The victim was wearing dark non-reflective clothing.
The B.C. Coroners Service has been called into the investigation and police are working to notify the victim’s next of kin.
“Victim services out of Parksville are assisting the driver and his passenger,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “They’re fairly traumatized by this incident.”
