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Police say driver fled scene of fatal crash in Ladysmith in stolen vehicle

Air ambulance and other emergency crews called to Oyster Sto-lo Road intersection
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Emergency crews were called to a crash on the Trans-Canada Highway north of Ladysmith this morning. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Police are seeking a suspect after a driver fled the scene of a multi-vehicle crash that left a person dead on the highway between Ladysmith and Nanaimo this morning.

The incident occurred at 8:30 a.m. today, Aug. 29 on the Trans-Canada Highway, between Oyster Sto-Lo and Brenton-Page roads. According to a press release, Ladysmith RCMP, emergency crews and an air ambulance were called to the scene and upon arrival, investigators found a southbound Ford F-150 pickup truck had crossed over the centre median and collided with a sport-utility vehicle headed north. A truck and trailer narrowly avoided the collision and remained on scene.

The driver of the SUV was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the press release, and “the driver [of the] F150 fled on foot and is believed to [have] stolen another vehicle near the scene.” The man’s whereabouts are currently unknown.

One person is dead after a multi-vehicle crash between Ladysmith and Nanaimo this morning.

An air ambulance and other emergency crews were called to the scene of the accident on the Trans-Canada Highway in Ladysmith between Oyster Sto-Lo Road and Brenton-Page Road on Saturday, Aug. 29.

An investigation is underway, with assistance of a traffic reconstructionist, to determine the cause of the collision.

According to the Drive B.C. website, traffic on Highway 1, between Oyster Sto-Lo Road and Brenton-Page Road, was impacted in the northbound lanes, with a detour in effect. One southbound lane was open and traffic was lining up in that direction also.

“Crews are on scene, expect heavy delays in the area,” Drive B.C. noted in a social media post.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call South Island Traffic Services at 250-416-0352.


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