A stretch of the northbound lanes on Highway 17 in Saanich were shut down on Friday night after a crash involving a pedestrian.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m. Friday night, police posted to the social media platform ‘X’ that traffic analysts were at the scene in the 5100-block of the Patricia Bay Highway for a “serious crash.”
A woman who witnessed the crash tells CHEK News they saw the pedestrian, another woman, run onto the road before being struck by a truck.
The witness says the crash appeared to be accidental by all parties, and that it seemed like the pedestrian was trying to cross the street.
The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash immediately stopped and tried to help the woman, according to the witness.
“There was three of us trying to help her but there was nothing we could do,” said the witness, who asked to remain anonymous.
“It was just an awful accident.”
Saanich police have not yet confirmed if the crash was fatal.
In a statement Saturday morning, police said the incident was still under investigation.
“The investigation is ongoing and it is expected that more details will be released at a later time,” said Saanich Police Insp. Damian Kowalewich.
The intersection was closed for hours, with northbound traffic being detoured Friday evening.
The southbound lanes remained open overnight.
CHEK News
