Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in a head-on crash on the Malahat that left one man dead and sent two others to hospital on Saturday afternoon, RCMP said.
The man driving the southbound vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
His female passenger was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The female driver of the northbound vehicle was also taken to hospital with injuries.
“Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this fatal collision and police investigators are gathering evidence as to the level of impairment of the female driver and any driving evidence observed by witnesses,” West Shore RCMP Corp. Chris Dovell said in a statement.
The two-vehicle crash occurred about 1 p.m. about 3.5 kilometres south of the Malahat summit just north of Aspen Road. Malahat Fire Rescue and B.C. Ambulance also responded.
As a result of the accident, the highway was closed for several hours, moving to single-lane traffic and then opening in early evening.
The West Shore RCMP traffic unit and the RCMP South Island traffic services collision analyst are investigating.
This crash follows a May 24 accident on the Malahat when a fuel truck and van collided. In that case, there was no loss of life.
There were, however, long lineups of vehicles because the highway was shut in both directions.
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Earlier story
One person has died and two people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash on the Malahat.
The B.C. Coroners Office confirmed that one person had died in the two-vehicle crash.
Two people were taken to hospital in serious condition, according B.C. Emergency Health Services.
BCEHS paramedics were called to a major vehicle incident at approx 1pm today on the #Malahat #BCHwy1. Air & ground ambulances dispatched, paramedics transported 2 patients in serious condition by ground ambulance. Check @DriveBC for updates.
— EmergHealthServices (@BC_EHS) June 9, 2018
Emergency crews were called to the scene about 1 p.m. Saturday.
The crash took place 3.5 kilometres south of the Malahat summit, just north of Aspen road.
Malahat Fire Rescue says it has cleared the scene.
Malahat Fire has cleared scene, highway is alternating traffic. Please be patient.
— Malahat Fire Rescue (@malahatfire) June 9, 2018
Drive B.C. says the road has opened.
UPDATE - OPEN - #BCHwy1 #Malahat All lanes now ***OPEN*** in both directions, following an earlier vehicle incident. #YYJ #VanIsle https://t.co/VOIyUhoRCC
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) June 10, 2018
Avoid the #Malahat, 4 #MVI at Aspen, closed in both directions, multiple injuries and possible fatality according to on scene sources. We were able to turn around, but many are stuck. #yyj #yyjtraffic #RIP pic.twitter.com/hgILfuFZqf
— Scott McDonald (@ScottinVictoria) June 9, 2018
B.C. Transit issued a notice saying it has cancelled the route No. 44 1:59 p.m. trip from Victoria to Cowichan and the 3:36 p.m. trip from Cowichan to Victoria. Check bctransit.com for updates.
Due to a MVI on the Malahat, we have to cancel the route 44 1:59p trip from Victoria to Cowichan and the 3:36p trip from Cowichan to Victoria. We are planning on operating the 5:11p Victoria to Cowichan trip. Please check https://t.co/knJsLOXl6g for updates. #YYJTraffic @mycvrd
— BC Transit (@BCTransit) June 9, 2018
