The victim of Saturday’s Malahat crash has been identified as David Tilley, a 46-year-old Vancouver man and the son of a former St. John’s city councillor.
“It is with heavy hearts we announce the death of David, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle in Victoria B.C. following a tragic car accident on June 9, 2018, aged 46,” his family wrote in an online obituary.
Tilley is the son of Bruce and Ruth Tilley. Bruce Tilley spent 20 years as a councillor in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The obituary says a large circle of family and friends in Newfoundland and B.C. are mourning Tilley’s death.
Current St. John’s councillor Sheilagh O’Leary wrote on her Facebook page: “My sincere condolences go out to former council colleague Bruce Tilley and to his family on this tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
On their Facebook page, the Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador asked the congregation to pray for Bruce and Ruth Tilley after the loss of their son. Bruce Tilley is the chair of the Bishop’s Dinner and member of the Synod Planning Committee.
Tilley was driving the southbound vehicle when it was struck head-on by an oncoming vehicle at about 1 p.m., about 3.5 kilometres south of the Malahat summit just north of Aspen Road. Tilley’s wife, Justine, was in the passenger seat and is in hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the northbound vehicle also suffered injuries and is being investigated for impaired driving.
“Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this fatal collision and police investigators are gathering evidence as to the level of impairment of the female driver and any driving evidence observed by witnesses,” West Shore RCMP Corp. Chris Dovell said in a statement.
The accident closed the highway for several hours.
The West Shore RCMP traffic unit and the RCMP South Island traffic services collision analyst are investigating.
This crash follows a May 24 accident on the Malahat when a fuel truck and van collided. In that case, there was no loss of life.
There were, however, long lineups of vehicles because the highway was shut in both directions.
