No charges are pending against the driver of a tractor-trailer rig that struck and killed a man on the Nanaimo Parkway last week.
A 60-year-old man died after he was hit by a semi-trailer shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday on the Nanaimo Parkway about 600 metres south of the Aulds Road intersection.
According to police, investigators determined from speaking with a number of witnesses that the victim tried to cross the four-lane divided highway.
“We believe the individual had been walking up the highway prior to the crash. Witnesses have confirmed that,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
It was raining and roads were wet at the time of the accident and the victim was wearing dark, non-reflective clothing, according to police.
The truck’s driver remained at the scene and was assisted by Nanaimo RCMP Victim Services.
Drugs and alcohol have been ruled out as possible contributors.
The section of highway was closed in both directions for several hours while RCMP and a traffic analyst examined the scene.
“Given the totality of the circumstances and taking into consideration the speed of the vehicle, the weather factors and the fact that the individual attempted to cross the highway where it’s extremely dangerous to do so, no charges will be pending from that investigation,” O’Brien said Monday.
The victim’s next of kin have been notified and the B.C. Coroners Service is participating in the investigation, but has not released the name of the victim.
Police still hope to speak with anyone who witnessed the accident or can provide information about the victim prior to the incident.
“We just want to piece together everything so we have a full understanding of what happened,” O’Brien said. “Anybody who saw his travels prior to the crash or saw him, possibly, on the highway acting in any way that caused some concern, or any witnesses that saw the crash as well.”
O’Brien also said anyone who was traumatized by witnessing the crash should contact Nanaimo RCMP Victim Services for assistance.
Anyone witnessed the incident or saw the victim prior to the crash, please contact Const. Martin Kortas of the Nanaimo RCMP Municipal Traffic Unit at 250-754-2345.
-with files from Nicholas Pescod/News Bulletin.