A 19-year-old Nanaimo woman is in critical condition in a Victoria hospital after she was struck by a pickup truck early Thursday morning.
The collision happened at about 12:30 a.m. on the Trans Canada Highway near Morden Road, according to a press release issued by Nanaimo RCMP. The woman and her boyfriend were walking southbound along the northbound shoulder when the woman suddenly crossed the highway, jumped over the divider and into the path of an approaching southbound Dodge Dakota, driven by a 59-year-old Duncan man.
The woman was airlifted to Victoria General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police said visibility in the area was limited, with no streetlights. The woman was wearing dark clothing.
Speed and alcohol are not contributing factors on the part of the driver, however investigators suspect the woman had been consuming alcohol.
Nanaimo RCMP Traffic Services along with an RCMP traffic analyst/reconstructionist are investigating this collision.
RCMP Victim Services is assisting the driver and witnesses of the traumatic event.
Police are reminding pedestrians to ensure they are visible to passing motorists by wearing reflective or bright-coloured clothing, or carrying a flashlight.