A man succumbed to injuries sustained in a two vehicle collision near Roberts Lake.
According to North Vancouver Island Traffic Services, a 36-year-old Cumberland man was airlifted to a Victoria hospital with serious injuries after the collision at about 11 a.m. Sat., Nov. 12. He passed away in hospital just over a week later, on Mon., Nov. 21. His name is not being released.
A 29-year-old Victoria man driving a GMC Sierra pick-up was transported to Campbell River hospital via ambulance at the time of the collision, but was later released.
The 36-year-old Cumberland man was driving a Toyota pick up. Neither vehicle had passengers.
According to North Vancouver Island Traffic Services’ Sgt. Mark Whitworth, the GMC was travelling southbound through a curvy section of road when it lost control and slid into the oncoming lane. The Toyota was travelling northbound and flew off the road when it hit the GMC in the passenger side.
The Toyota “subsequently ended up overturned down the embankment,” said Whitworth. “The road conditions with the fresh snow – slippery conditions definitely contributed to it.”
Investigators do not believe alcohol was a factor, according to traffic services.
The investigation is ongoing, with the BC Coroner’s office and an Island District Analyst/Reconstructionist now assisting.
While Whitworth said he is unsure if speed was a factor in this particular collision, he said he’s seen too many accidents in this area related to drivers going too fast for road conditions. He gives a general warning for drivers to slow down.
“Clearly people don’t understand the grave danger that exists,” said Whitworth. “Unless you’re lying in a ditch with water trickling down through the windshield, you don’t realize you were going too fast.
“Don’t ever wait for that to happen before you slow down.”
Anyone who witnessed the collision on Sat., Nov. 12 is asked to contact North Vancouver Island Traffic Services at 250-286-6221 or Crime Stoppers at 250-287-8477.