Three people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a three-vehicle crash on the Duke Point Highway Tuesday morning, Nanaimo RCMP say.
The crash occurred about one kilometre east of the intersection with Highway 1 around 7:40 a.m., said Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O’Brien.
After speaking with several witnesses and the drivers involved, investigators believe a van driving west with two adults inside crossed over the centre line and collided with an oncoming semi-trailer, sending the truck off the road. The female passenger in the van was ejected onto the roadway. A westbound pickup truck then collided with the van.
The woman, the driver of the pickup truck and the driver of the semi-trailer suffered serious injuries.
The pickup driver was airlifted to hospital in Victoria and the other two were taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital by ground ambulance.
The driver of the van had minor injuries and was also taken to the Nanaimo hospital.
All three vehicles were destroyed.
Drive B.C. says the highway is closed in both directions between Cranberry Avenue and Maughan Road and isn’t expected to reopen until 6 p.m. A detour is available via Maughan Road.
Investigators are asking any drivers who were at the scene and have dash cam video or cellphone footage, to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file # 2021-1374.
kderosa@timescolonist.com
