The driver of a vehicle who caused an accident Monday morning in Nanoose Bay — that held up traffic for seven hours — may not even know he or she wreaked havoc on the highway, according to police.
Oceanside RCMP Cpl. Mike Carey said Mounties were called to the scene at approximately 8 a.m. on Sept. 29 along Highway 19A near the Nanoose Bay overpass.
Carey said there appears to have been a "mechanical malfunction" in a vehicle traveling northbound, who let out a plume of smoke and slowed down.
This caused what Carey called a "chain reaction."
He said a van that was traveling directly behind the vehicle slowed down and was rear ended by a tractor trailer, who was in turn rear ended by another tractor trailer.
Carey said pulling the tractor trailers out of the ditch was difficult and both lanes of traffic were closed until 11.38 a.m., at which time single lane traffic was opened. By 3 p.m. double lane traffic resumed.
He said no major injuries were sustained.
Carey said the driver of the vehicle spewing smoke did not stop and it is possible the driver may be completely unaware of the accident that ensued Monday morning.