Saanich man facing 6 charges over Hwy. 19 crash that injured baby and 3 others

Emergency crews respond to a serious crash on Highway 19 on March 3, 2025.

Public questions about the length of the investigation into a serious Highway 19 head-on collision are being addressed by RCMP, after criminal charges were laid nearly a year after the crash.

The collision occurred on March 3, 2025, just after 4 p.m., in the northbound lanes near the Church Road overpass in Parksville. A white Chevrolet pickup truck and a grey Toyota Prius collided head-on, prompting a major emergency response involving B.C. Highway Patrol, firefighters, and air ambulance crews.

Three people were injured in the crash, including the driver of the pickup, the driver of the Toyota, and her baby. All injuries were reported as non-life threatening.

Following an investigation, the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges on February 26, 2026. The accused, 28-year-old Matthew St. Pierre of Saanich, was arrested on March 25, 2026, and now faces six criminal charges, including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm and impaired driving-related offences.

RCMP say the length of time taken to lay charges reflects the complexity and thoroughness required in serious collision investigations.

“We work on these things very hard in the background these serious investigations do take time, and we’ve got to make sure we forward a complete investigation to BC prosecution service in terms of actual details, there’s not much we’re going to talk about until that court process is finished,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin.

St. Pierre has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Nanaimo provincial court Tuesday.