Police are recommending several charges against a driver following a crash that sent six people to hospital on the weekend.
The collision happened shortly before midnight Friday when a 2001 red Hyundai Accent, driven by an 18-year-old Nanaimo woman, was about to make a left turn from East Wellington Road onto Bowen Road when it was broadsided by a southbound green 2000 Chrysler Intrepid.
Police said it appears the Hyundai had the right of way and was turning on a green turn signal when the Chrysler went through a red light at a high rate of speed.
The driver of the Chrysler, a 19-year-old man from Ontario, was taken into custody for an impaired driving investigation.
All five young people in the Hyundai were taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with varying degrees of injuries including broken bones. The driver was airlifted to Victoria General Hospital in critical condition with severe internal injuries.
Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said Tuesday two of the passengers in the Hyundai had been released from hospital, two remain in hospital with broken bones and the driver of the car was still in critical condition in Victoria.
“The driver, who is being investigated for impaired driving, received minor cuts to his lower extremities and after providing two breath samples was taken to the hospital and later released.” O’Brien said.
Police allege alcohol and speed were major contributing factors in the crash and have so far recommended five charges of impaired driving causing bodily harm and one count of impaired driving.
“A traffic re-constructionist’s report is being completed,” O’Brien said. “We’re looking at witness statements, finding video surveillance from various locations nearby to assist with the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this accident is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.