Police are seeking witnesses and dashcam footage following a fatal crash after police identified another vehicle may have been involved.
A 38-year-old man from Courtenay died following a serious crash on Highway 19 near Parksville over the weekend, as police continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the collision.
Emergency crews were called to the northbound lanes of the Inland Island Highway near Exit 51 shortly after 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 18th, after a vehicle left the roadway and struck trees.
BC Emergency Health Services said paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to one person and transported the patient to hospital in critical condition by air ambulance.
The response included multiple ground ambulances, a paramedic supervisor, and an air ambulance. Police and fire crews also attended the scene, where the vehicle was found off the roadway with the lone occupant still inside when first responders arrived.
Northbound lanes of Highway 19 were closed for several hours while crews managed the scene and cleared the vehicle. The highway reopened around 7 p.m., according to DriveBC.
In an update released Monday, police said the crash involved a blue Honda Civic and a dark grey 2020 Toyota Tacoma pickup.
According to BC Highway Patrol, the Tacoma and the Civic were travelling northbound near the Church Road overpass when the two vehicles had an interaction at highway speed. The Honda Civic subsequently lost control and struck a tree.
Police said the driver of the Honda Civic was the only occupant of the vehicle and later died from his injuries.
The driver of the Toyota Tacoma did not stop at the scene. Police issued a public appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage and released a description of the pickup shortly after the crash. The vehicle was quickly located by police the same day, though investigators did not provide further details about where it was found or the driver.
Investigators are continuing to look for witnesses or dashcam video that may show the events leading up to the crash or the Tacoma leaving the area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact BC Highway Patrol in Campbell River at (250) 286-5646 and reference file number (7001) 2026-108.
Police have not said whether charges are being considered.
