Nanaimo RCMP have confirmed that two people lost their lives in a serious collision early Thursday morning after their vehicle veered into the path of a semi-truck.
At approximately 4 a.m. on February 20th, officers were dispatched to the scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 19 and Jingle Pot Road.
Investigators determined that a car travelling northbound on Highway 19 made a left turn against a red light and was struck by a southbound semi-trailer.
Tragically, both the driver and passenger of the car did not survive the impact. The identities of the victims have not been released.
The Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS) remains on-site as they conduct a thorough investigation. As a result, the highway between Cedar Road and the Northfield interchange is expected to remain closed until the afternoon.
Related: Large section of Nanaimo Parkway closed after serious early morning crash
Emergency crews responded quickly to the crash, shutting down the affected section of the highway. Photos from the scene showed the vehicle overturned and engulfed in flames after veering off the roadway into a wooded area.
Witnesses reported seeing a BC Emergency Health Services Air Ambulance departing the scene shortly after the crash.
“BC Emergency Health Services received a call at 4:05 a.m. today about a motor vehicle incident on the Nanaimo Parkway and Jingle Pot Road in Nanaimo. An ambulance with primary care paramedics, an ambulance with advanced care paramedics and a supervisor responded to the scene,” said Paramedic Public Information officer Brian Twaites.
“Paramedics provided emergency medical care to one patient who was transported to hospital in critical condition.”
The Nanaimo RCMP General Investigative Unit is working in coordination with ICARS and the BC Coroners Service to piece together the circumstances leading up to the collision.
Motorists are urged alternative routes as the investigation continues and cleanup efforts proceed.
