One patient had to be extricated from a vehicle after a multiple-vehicle crash at a Nanaimo intersection this afternoon.
Emergency services rushed to Bowen Road at East Wellington Road at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, and came across a collision that appeared to have involved four vehicles.
One patient, a passenger in one of the cars, was extricated by Nanaimo Fire Rescue firefighters and was transported to hospital. Crews said there were no other injuries to occupants of any of the three other vehicles, which included a Jeep, a station wagon and a taxi.
Bowen Road lanes remained open, but three lanes were blocked on East Wellington Road.
Reserve Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, said one of the drivers fled the scene of the crash but was caught by police.
"The suspect driver fled on foot. It was a very short chase," O'Brien said. "He was witnessed by several civilians who were really keen on keeping an eye on him. He ran northbound on Bowen and ducked in behind a residence. Our members pursued on foot and located him and, after a short scuffle, he was taken into custody. He had minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment."
The passenger of the car, who witnesses at the scene said was not wearing a seatbelt when the collision happened, impacted the car's windshield and was taken to hospital with significant injuries.
O'Brien said two of the vehicles are considered write-offs due to the damage sustained.
"Speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors on the part of the suspect driver," O'Brien said. "There has been no determination of what charges are pending at this point, but it's still an active investigation and, certainly, we're asking for any eyewitnesses or [anyone who] has dashcam video to come forward."
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has video and has not already spoken with police is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file No. 2024-18510.
According to the latest available data from ICBC, there were 11 crashes at that intersection in 2022 and 42 in the five-year period from 2018-2022.
