Police say a man was fighting for his life in Victoria hospital yesterday after his motorcycle rammed into the side of a mini-van in Nanaimo.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, a 2006 Pontiac Montana driven by a 43-year-old man was turning left from the old Island Highway onto 107th Street shortly before midnight Sunday. It was struck broadside by a northbound 2009 Honda motorcycle driven by a 23-year-old man. Both men and the van’s passenger, a 41-year-old woman, are from Nanaimo.
“Police, fire and ambulance attended to the scene where the motorcyclist was treated and taken to local hospital and then flown to Victoria hospital where he remains with critical, life-threatening injuries,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
Both occupants of the Pontiac received relatively minor injuries, but were left traumatized by the incident, O’Brien said, and are being assisted by Nanaimo RCMP Victim Services.
The northbound lanes of the section of the Old Island Highway between 107th Street and Bowen Road was closed until 5 a.m. while RCMP collision analysts examined the crash site.
There were numerous witnesses to the crash, O’Brien said.
“Based on scene analysis and speaking to witnesses, investigators believe alcohol and speed were contributing factors on behalf of the motorcyclist and contributed to the crash,” O’Brien said.
Alcohol and drugs were ruled out for the driver of the minivan.
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