Saanich Police have closed off a busy stretch of road near Hillside Shopping Centre after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole.
The incident took place around 7:25 p.m. at the intersection of Lansdowne Road and Richmond Road.
A utility pole and hydro lines were knocked down.
The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle appeared to be unharmed but was taken to hospital for routine observation.
Police say they are searching for the driver of a dark-coloured SUV that may collided with the vehicle, forcing it off the road, before fleeing the scene.
Lansdowne between Foul Bay and Shelbourne, and Richmond between Lansdowne and Forrester Street are closed.
There are reports of severe traffic delays in the area.
BC Hydro reported that power was knocked out for 1048 customers in Saanich, Oak Bay and Victoria. It was fully restored at 9 p.m.
Ben O'Hara
