An RCMP tent covered the body of a man fatally hit on the Pat Bay Highway near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal on Monday, as police try to piece together what happened.
“Police officers responded to the scene and upon attending they discovered that a man in his 50s had been struck by a transport truck,” says Cpl. Andres Sanchez Flores Sidney North Saanich RCMP. “Police office, firefighters and paramedics did their best to render first aid assistance. Sadly, the man passed away from the injuries he sustained.”
Emergency crews were called to the scene just after 10:30 a.m.
The man was struck in the southbound lanes and RCMP believe it happened as the ferry was unloading.
But they’re not sure why a white vehicle — which they believe belongs to the victim — was parked on the side of the road.
“We’re unsure why the vehicle was stopped, we’re unsure why this vehicle ended up on the highway,” Cpl. Sanchez says. “From initial witness accounts, we believe that the vehicle had been stopped and that this individual had left the vehicle, he was on foot so the collision did take place after our victim had left his vehicle.”
An accident reconstruction team has been brought in and police say the semi-truck driver is fully cooperating.
“We don’t believe drugs, alcohol or speed were an issue in this instance,” Cpl. Sanchez says. “At this point, police are not considering criminal code charges.”
RCMP are asking for any witnesses, or people who may have seen the man prior to the tragic incident, to come forward.
“Additionally, police are asking for any kind of dash cam footage that may depict what happened, what may have led to the man being on the highway at this time, between about 8 a.m. and 10:40 this morning,” Cpl. Sanchez says.
Anyone with information is asked to call Sidney North Saanich RCMP at 250-656-3931.
Tess van Straaten
