UPDATED: Police release name of woman killed in collision on Central Saanich Road

Photo: Kim Ward courtesy Triathlon Canada

Police have released the name of the woman who was killed in the collision on Central Saanich Road Monday evening.

The crash happened in the 7500-block of Central Saanich Road, south of Mount Newton Cross Road, at around 7 p.m. on Aug. 27. Police said two sisters were walking north with their dogs when they were struck by a driver in a red SUV who had crossed the centre line and drifted into the opposing lane.

Kim Ward, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene and her sister, 48-year-old Tracy Ward, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. She is still in critical condition. One of the dogs also died while the other managed to run home.

Police said the names of the sisters were released at the request of the family.

A massage therapist and member of Triathlon Canada’s Integrated Support team, Kim Ward served the team for both the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the London Olympics in 2012.

“Kim played a critical role in ensuring our athletes were healthy and fully prepared to achieve excellence each time they hit the start line,” the message reads. 

“Kim was a true professional, a great teammate and a very dear friend! Kim, you will be missed by all of us! RIP.”

Photo/Facebook

Also on Thursday, police announced that the occupants of a black sedan involved in a rear-end collision on Mount Newton Cross Road at Lochside Drive, which occurred approximately 20 minutes before the fatal collision, have been identified.

Central Saanich police said they believe the driver of the red SUV, a 26-year-old man from Central Saanich, was involved in that collision as well.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the 26-year-old driver of the SUV involved in the fatal collision to cross over the oncoming traffic lane before striking the women. Police say they are investigating speed, impairment, medical issues and the vehicle itself. They are also still asking for any witnesses to either collision to come forward.

The scene of the crash in Central Saanich on Aug. 27, 2018.

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