Three Dead After Two Separate Highway 19 Crashes on Vancouver Island
Emma MacLeod
8/28/20262 min read
RCMP are investigating two separate crashes that killed three people along Highway 19 between Nanoose Bay and Lantzville on Vancouver Island.
The most recent collision happened shortly after 3 a.m. PT Thursday near Ware Road and involved a 16-year-old driver from the Nanaimo area who police allege was impaired.
According to B.C. Highway Patrol, the teenager was travelling northbound when her vehicle crossed into the southbound lane and collided head-on with another vehicle.
Two men inside the other vehicle died at the scene.
Teen Driver Arrested After Fatal Collision
B.C. Highway Patrol media relations officer Sgt. Michael McLaughlin described the collision as a serious and tragic incident.
“This is a terrible crash,” McLaughlin said.
“It’s really important that we speak to more witnesses and gather more video to sort out exactly how this happened.”
Police said investigators have already interviewed several witnesses but are continuing to seek additional information and video footage that could help determine the circumstances leading up to the crash.
The 16-year-old driver was arrested for impaired operation causing death and dangerous driving causing death.
She was taken to hospital with injuries that police said were not believed to be life-threatening.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Southbound traffic on Highway 19 was closed for several hours Thursday morning while officers investigated the collision scene.
Earlier Rollover Killed 20-Year-Old Passenger
The fatal head-on collision came less than a day after another deadly crash along the same highway.
Oceanside RCMP said a single vehicle rolled over near the Nanoose Bay rest area at approximately 6:45 p.m. PT Wednesday.
The crash occurred about 10 kilometres north of Lantzville.
Sgt. Shane Worth said a 20-year-old female passenger died at the scene.
The 21-year-old driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while a second passenger was transported to hospital in critical condition.
Northbound lanes were closed for several hours Wednesday evening while emergency crews responded and police investigated.
Highway Configuration Can Complicate Closures
Worth said serious crashes along that section of Highway 19 can create significant transportation challenges.
The median is divided by a concrete barrier, and there are limited options for motorists to bypass a collision scene when lanes are closed.
Both crashes remain under investigation as police work to determine the circumstances surrounding each incident.
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