Two drivers killed on Valley roads

Two drivers were killed in separate incidents on Cowichan Valley roads last Thursday.

Just after 11 a.m., officers from both the North Cowichan/ Duncan and Shawnigan Lake RCMP were called to a single-vehicle collision on Telegraph road, right on the dividing line between the two detachments, where a grey Toyota Corolla had lost control and struck a tree.

“The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle, and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Cpl. Jon Stuart of the North Cowichan/ Duncan detachment reported.

The road was closed for several hours while the collision was investigated, with assistance from the BC Coroner’s Service and a traffic scene reconstructionist. The cause remains under investigation, and the driver’s name has not been released.

Just before midnight on Thursday, the North Cowichan/ Duncan RCMP were called to another single-vehicle collision on Osborne Bay Road. A nearby resident had heard the crash and went to investigate, finding the passenger who led them to the scene. When police arrived, the found the driver, a 25-year-old Duncan man, trapped inside.

BC Ambulance and volunteer firefighters from Crofton and the South End hall were on hand, but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

“It appears at the initial stage of the investigation that the vehicle had been southbound on Osborne Bay Road and failed to negotiate a curve,” Cpl. Krista Hobday reported. “The passenger received minor injuries, was treated and released at the scene.”

A traffic reconstructionist and the coroners service also attended and continue to investigate. The driver’s name has not been released.

A driver was fortunate to survive a collision on Chemainus Road early Saturday morning. A pickup truck was travelling north on the Halalt reserve when it appeared to have lost control, crashing through a telephone pole and a railway crossing sign before colliding with a tractor trailer.

Volunteer firefighters from Crofton and Chemainus worked to free the driver of the pickup, while the driver of the semi was able to get out on his own. Both were taken to hospital.