A motorcyclist died on June 17, 2018, after a collision in the northbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway near Cobble Hill Road. Photo Credit: Scott MacDougall/Facebook.
British Columbia’s police watchdog is investigating a fatal collision on the Trans-Canada Highway south of Cobble Hill Road early Sunday morning.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) said initial information provided to the agency suggests that on June 17, at around 2:15 a.m., there was a collision involving a number of vehicles, including a motorcycle, going north on the Trans-Canada Highway just south of the Cobble Hill Road and Cowichan Bay Road intersection and that “One of the vehicles was operated by an off-duty police officer of the Victoria Police Department.”
Police also released more details of the collision on Monday. RCMP said when they arrived at the scene in the northbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway, they learned a black Corvette car and a green Kawasaki motorcycle collided, causing debris to scatter all over the road. One witness told CHEK News that debris was seen more than 100 metres from the initial scene of the collision.
Due to the large debris field, additional vehicles were involved in the incident.
The motorcycle rider, who was in his 20s and from Quebec, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. One other person was taken to a hospital and released with minor injuries.
South Vancouver Island Traffic Services is now asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle that drove through the debris field of the crash. Police believe the driver of the vehicle could have information which could help further the police investigation. A description of the vehicle is not available, police said.
Any witnesses who saw someone drive through the debris or anyone who drove through the debris who has not spoken to police is asked to call South Vancouver Island Traffic Services at 250-416-0352.
The IIO said their investigation is focused on the actions of the off-duty police officer. Any potential witnesses are asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.
The agency will not be releasing names of anyone involved in the crash.
Correction: A previous version of this article did not state that the IIO and RCMP did not release whether the police officer was driving the car involved in the initial crash or not. The story has been updated to provide clarity.
CHEK News
