Police in Nanaimo say they believe alcohol played a role in a collision that sent four people to hospital on the weekend.
The crash happened shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday when Nanaimo RCMP detachment received several 911 calls about a serious accident involving multiple victims at 454 Park Ave. in south Nanaimo.
A grey Ford F-150 pickup went off the road, struck a tree, a retaining wall, a fence and an outbuilding before it rolled and came to rest upside down on its roof.
Two passengers were removed from the truck by neighbours who heard the crash, but firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate the driver and a third passenger.
All four victims were taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, but the driver was transferred by air ambulance to Victoria General Hospital for treatment.
Police had no update on the conditions of the driver and passengers before deadline Monday morning.
Alcohol is alleged to be a contributing factor in the crash and a collision reconstructionist is helping Nanaimo RCMP’s Municipal Traffic Section with the investigation.
Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said charges are likely pending against the driver.
“The charges that could be pending, if it’s proven that alcohol was a predominant factor, could be impaired driving causing injury or dangerous driving,” O’Brien said. “A lot depends on what comes from the witness statements, from the traffic reconstructionist, the speed of the vehicle – taking everything into consideration.”