Police are saying it’s little short of a miracle that more people weren’t hurt or even killed when an elderly driver lost control of his vehicle on Friday near Nanoose Bay.
Oceanside RCMP Corporal Jesse Foreman said the incident took place at 5:30 p.m. when an 88-year-old Nanaimo man drove across the center median into oncoming traffic, left the highway and rolled his vehicle into the ditch.
Foreman noted police fielded several calls prior to the crash from motorists reporting an erratic driver driving north on Island Highway approaching Nanoose Bay.
The driver was in critical condition when found and was immediately rushed by B.C. Ambulance to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. He was then airlifted to Victoria General Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Foreman said a police investigation determined that alcohol did not appear to be a factor.
“It is quite possible that an underlying medical condition could account for the erratic driving and speeds that ultimately led to the collision,” Foreman said. “It is a miracle that no other motorists were struck or harmed due to the fact that the highway was busy as per usual on a Friday evening.”
Police say the investigation continues.