A serious highway accident near Parksville has left a driver injured, prompting police to request assistance from the public. The individual involved in the crash was airlifted to a medical facility for urgent care, with BC Emergency Health Services reporting that the patient was transported from the site in critical condition.
According to the BC Highway Patrol (BCHP), they are actively searching for witnesses to the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that a dark grey 2020 Toyota Tacoma had an encounter with a Honda Civic while traveling at high speeds on the highway. Following this interaction, the driver of the Honda lost control of their vehicle and collided with a tree.
Cpl. Michael McLaughlin from BCHP emphasized the importance of providing the Tacoma driver an opportunity to share their perspective, stating, "The Tacoma driver left the area without communicating with the police, but we want to give them a chance to tell their side of the story." It has been reported that the last sighting of the Tacoma was as it headed north on Highway 19 at a rapid speed.
In an update shared by Cpl. McLaughlin later in the day on Monday, he confirmed that the truck involved in the crash has been located; however, the driver's whereabouts remain unknown.
BCHP is urgently appealing for more witnesses to step forward, especially those who might possess dashcam footage that could provide crucial insight into the events leading up to the crash.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to reach out to the BC Highway Patrol in Campbell River by calling 1-250-286-5646 and referring to file number (7001) 2026-108.
The aftermath of the crash caused significant traffic disruptions, resulting in the closure of the northbound lanes of the Inland Island Highway for several hours. These lanes were finally reopened around 7 p.m., while traffic heading south remained largely unaffected.
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