Vancouver Island crash leaves driver with life-threatening injuries

The B.C. Highway Patrol provided this photo of the aftermath of a crash on Jan. 18, 2026.

Mounties on Vancouver Island are trying to piece together what happened before a driver crashed into trees on the side of a Vancouver Island highway Sunday and are appealing to the public for information.

The crash occurred around 2 p.m. on Highway 19 in Parksville, near the Church Road overpass, according to the B.C. Highway Patrol.

The driver of a blue Honda Civic, who has been identified as a 38-year-old man from Courtenay, suffered life-threatening injuries in the collision. Authorities said the crash happened after an “interaction” with the driver of a dark-grey Toyota Tacoma.

The driver of that vehicle did not stop at the scene, but the vehicle has since been located. Police have not said whether the driver has been identified. Asked about the “interaction,” a spokesperson told CTV News “there was a noticeable departure from ordinary driving behavior” prior to the Honda crashing.

Anyone who has information or dash-cam video is urged to call the B.C. Highway Patrol in Campbell River at 250-286-5646 and quote file number 2026-108.