Nanaimo RCMP are still investigating why a driver ran a red light and caused a dramatic high-speed crash at a busy intersection.
The crash happened during Wednesday’s busy afternoon rush hour when a northbound mini-van, flew through a red light on the Old Island Highway at Bowen Road.
“The vehicle was at a high rate of speed, very little braking and almost T-boned the car legally passing through that intersection, so very fortunate the injuries weren’t more significant,” said Cst. Gary O’Brien with Nanaimo RCMP.
The crash was witnessed by a number of nearby teens.
“She was going very fast. She blew the light,” said Jordin Schwank, a witness.
“You could hear it. It was like thunder. We went to approach the lady as the lady got out of the car to see if she was okay and she started talking about airplanes and bombings and stuff.”
“She came out and she was like I’m royalty. You guys watch the airport it’s going to burn and she was saying she was going to bomb the island… and then she started running down there when we were talking to the police,” said Lucean Speakman, another witness.
Police caught up with the 41-year-old, soon after, several blocks away.
“They did a quick assessment on her and she was having some mental health issues. She was apprehended taken to hospital where she remains at this point,” said O’Brien.
Police say she’s facing charges of failing to remain at the scene and driving without due care and attention if she’s found mentally fit.
They’ll also be asking ICBC to review her driver’s license.
The 45-year-old driver of the Nissan Pathfinder was taken to hospital with injuries but has since been released.
Kendall Hanson
