UPDATE: VIU student dies, another injured in car crash on Nanaimo Lakes Road
Nanaimo RCMP have confirmed it was the passenger who died when a car went off Nanaimo Lakes Road Wednesday.
Multiple emergency services responded to the single-vehicle crash that happened at about 12:30 p.m. near the South Forks Road intersection.
Nanaimo RCMP confirmed in a press release that one man died and one was injured in the crash.
“From preliminary reports, it appears the vehicle was proceeding eastbound when for unknown reasons, the driver lost control and went off the roadway left, striking a stump, then coming to a rest,” the release noted.
One man was dead at the scene while the other was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries.
The road was closed in both directions for several hours as police conducted their investigation of the accident scene.
Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said a mechanical inspection is being conducted on the older model BMW car that was involved in the crash as part of the ongoing investigation.
“We’re working with the B.C. Coroners Service and will be looking at a number of factors, which include speed, weather, road conditions and the vehicle itself,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to check in with one another and keep an eye out for those who may be in distress,” noted Deborah Saucier, VIU president, in a statement posted on the university’s website. “We are a close-knit community and when these types of tragedies occur it impacts each of us a little differently. I encourage you to do what you need to do to take care of yourselves.”
Counselling is being provided to students today and tomorrow.
For past coverage of car crashes in the area, click here.
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