A man from British Columbia has been charged with six impaired driving infractions after an older man, who police called a “good Samaritan,” was killed on Vancouver Island.
The incident happened on March 2 around 2:30 a.m. on Highway 19A near Qualicum Beach, according to a Dec. 27 RCMP news release.
An 80-year-old man stopped to help a woman who had lost control of a minivan she was driving and hit a power pole, police said. While the man and the minivan driver were outside of their vehicles, a third vehicle crashed into the minivan, hitting them both.
The “good Samaritan,” who police say was from Red Deer, Alberta, was killed as a result. The minivan driver, from Bowser, B.C., was seriously injured, the release said.
Jacob Aaron Pardiac, 29, from Coombs, B.C., was charged after a BC Highway Patrol investigation into the crash.
Pardiac now faces one count of operating a motor vehicle causing death while impaired by alcohol, one count of operating a motor vehicle causing death while impaired by cocaine, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, one count of operating a motor vehicle causing bodily harm while impaired by alcohol, one count of operating a motor vehicle causing bodily harm while impaired by cocaine, and one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
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“We have seen repeated incidents this year where people trying to help after a collision end up hurt or killed, and it’s terribly sad,” Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol said in the release.
McLaughlin said that the Highway Patrol does everything it can to investigate and charge those who drive when impaired by alcohol and drugs.
Police are advising people to “exercise extreme caution” when trying to help after a crash and be mindful of the following guidelines:
- Consider if they are wearing reflective clothing, good footwear, and if they have the physical ability to assist.
- Be aware that if road conditions are bad for driving, they are also dangerous for pedestrians.
- Stay alert as emergency situations can cause stress and tunnel vision.
- Call 911 for help instead.
- If drivers are involved in a minor crash, it’s recommended they stay in the vehicle with the seat belt on until help arrives.
- Try to keep everyone at the scene who is outside their vehicle away from traffic.
RCMP Highway Patrol said they applaud those who try to help after a collision but stress that highways can be “extremely dangerous” places where fast-moving vehicles can pose a risk to pedestrians.
