Tow operator struck by passing vehicle

Oceanside, BC Highway Patrol

2022-01-12 10:00 PST

File # BCHP Parksville 2022-25

On January 11, 2022 at approximately 6:30 PM, BC Highway Patrol Parksville received a report that a tow truck driver had been struck by a vehicle on Highway 19 near Rumming Road, north of Lantzville. The vehicle, described as a green Dodge Caravan, fled the scene. The tow truck driver sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Witnesses to the incident provided a licence plate for the van which was located by BCHP officers in Nanoose Bay approximately 30 minutes later, parked along a road with a man behind the wheel. It was quickly determined that the man was impaired by alcohol. He was arrested and taken to the BCHP office where he provided breath samples in excess of three times over the legal limit.

The man is facing potential Criminal Code charges of impaired driving causing bodily harm and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. He remains in custody at this time. The vehicle was seized and will undergo a forensic examination.

This collision occurred on Highway 19 between Lantzville and Nanoose in an area where repairs were being made to the road surface following the recent winter storms that damaged parts of the highway. A number of damaged vehicles were parked on the shoulder of the highway and were being towed when the tow operator, who was simply doing his job, was struck by the passing green Dodge Caravan. Police urge drivers to slow down and move over for designated vehicles to give those workers a safe area to work in.

Anyone with information regarding this collision, including any dashboard camera video, is asked to contact BC Highway Patrol in Parksville at 250-954-2953 and reference file 2022-25.

Released by

Cpl. Mike Halskov

Email: E_BCHP_Media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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