An already-deceased otter on the side of the Pat Bay Highway was the unexpected factor that led to a six-vehicle pile-up during Monday morning’s commute.
The crash happened around 7:45 a.m. near Keating Cross Road, according to Central Saanich Police.
While no one was seriously injured, paramedics with Emergency Health Services attended the scene as a precaution.
Police believe the incident unfolded when a driver suddenly reacted to the sight of the otter, triggering a chain-reaction collision.
“It appeared that the otter was already deceased and on the side of the road prior to the accident,” said A/Sgt. Tristan Gentile.
“Our message would be to ensure that drivers leave enough space between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them… especially if the lead vehicle needs to stop suddenly.”
Gentile added that as vehicle speed increases, so does the distance required to stop safely—making proper spacing on highways critical.
Traffic was impacted for a portion of the morning, but all vehicles were cleared without major delays.
