Nanaimo R-C-M-P say a motorcyclist is dead after crashing with a pickup truck early this morning.
Officers say the motorcycle was going northbound on Island Highway when a southbound truck tried to make a left turn and hit the motorcycle.
The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police say the truck driver was not injured and is co-operating with the investigation.
152 Street between 72 Avenue and 68 Avenue has been closed in both directions to all traffic. Police are requesting people plan ahead, avoid the area and use alternate routes. It is unknown how long the closures will remain in effect.
A 39-year-old man, believed to be the driver, who is known to police was transported to Surrey RCMP cells and held in custody. Investigators confirmed that the vehicle was stolen from Coquitlam in November 2022.
Mounties say officers seized a firearm as well as 1.5 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine from a home while executing a search warrant last Friday.
The man allegedly berated drive-thru staff in early February. Mounties say the man was arrested on May 24th and was charged with assault and causing a disturbance.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the funding will go toward structural repairs, enhancing patient care rooms, improving ventilation and making it more accessible. The minister says construction is expected to be complete by 2025.
Witnesses called 9-1-1 reporting shots fired near East Hastings and Columbia just before 4:30 p.m. VPD flooded the area and located a victim with gunshot wounds, while several people were seen fleeing the area on foot. Eight people were arrested and have since been released pending further investigation.