Nanaimo RCMP say a pair of single-vehicle crashes during a short, intense burst of rain Monday night are a reminder that drivers need to be prepared for slick road conditions when it rains after a long period of drought.
Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien said the rain mixed with oils on the roads can make for unpredictable slippery conditions.
“The best advice we can offer is to reduce your speed according to the weather conditions and to be extra cautious when taking corners.”
Police said neither incident resulted in serious injuries, but both of the vehicles involved ended up in ditches with significant damage.
The first crash was reported about 8:30 p.m. in the 3800-block of Jingle Pot Road. Witnesses told police they saw a Ford-150 pickup roll over and land in a roadside ditch. Someone was seen running from the crash, but before police got to the scene, another vehicle arrived and picked up the person who fled.
Police tracked down the registered owner of the pickup but said they haven’t been able to determine who was driving at the time of the crash.
The second incident happened just before 9 p.m. in the 2000-block of Holden Corso Road. Police found a 21-year-old man standing on the roadside next to a BMW that was sitting precariously in a ditch.
The man told police he had lost control on the rain-soaked road while trying to make a turn. He was not badly injured but was complaining of a sore chest and said he would make his own way to hospital.
His car was towed.
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