A 28-year-old motorcyclist from Saanich was seriously injured after his bike slammed into the back of a pickup truck at the Cedar Road and Island Highway intersection.
The crash happened Monday, shortly before 9:30 a.m., when the motorcycle, northbound on the highway, was unable to stop in time to avoid crashing into a Ford pickup stopped in the fast lane at the intersection waiting for a red light.
The bike skidded for more than 100 metres before hitting the pickup.
"Speed was excessive," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
The motorcyclist also failed two breathalyzer readings and was issued an immediate 90-day roadside suspension. He is also being investigated for breaching a restriction of his motorcycle learner's license, which limited him to a maximum speed of 60 k/hr.
The motorcyclist was taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with a broken leg and dislocated hip.
The driver of the Ford pickup was unhurt.