One person is dead and another was sent to hospital in a fatal two-vehicle collision in Qualicum Beach police believe was alcohol-related.
On Jan. 6 around 5:50 p.m., Oceanside RCMP were called to Highway 4 near Coombs after the driver of a pickup truck crossed the centre line and collided with a smaller car, says Cpl. Travis Strong.
Police, paramedics and local fire crews arrived on scene, where the driver and only occupant of the car was pronounced dead, Strong tells CHEK News.
He says the truck had two occupants, including a passenger who was uninjured and the driver who was sent to hospital with minor injuries.
After 6 p.m., DriveBC tweeted that the highway was fully closed between Highway 4A and Hilliers Road South, with a detour in effect via Hilliers Road. Hours later, just before 2 a.m., the service said the highway had reopened.
Alcohol is a believed factor in the crash, according to Strong, who notes the BC Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation.
✅CLEAR – #BCHwy4 The vehicle incident that had the highway closed in both directions between Hilliers Road S and the intersection with #BCHwy4A is now clear. #Coombs #QualicumBeach #VanIsle
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) January 7, 2023
Ethan Morneau
