Two crashes, one fatal, 20 minutes apart

Police told there was another collision before sisters struck in Central Saanich

The Jeep SUV that struck two sisters walking their dogs in Central Saanich, killing one and leaving the other critically injured, might have been involved in another crash just minutes earlier, Central Saanich police say.

A witness told Central Saanich police that they saw a red Jeep SUV rear-end a black sedan on Mount Newton Cross Road at Lochside Drive about 6:45 p.m. Monday, about 20 minutes before the fatal collision on Central Saanich Road, said Deputy Police Chief Derren Lench.

Investigators want to speak with the driver and occupants of the black sedan and anyone with information about that collision, which was not reported to police.

“Part of the investigation is working backward [to determine] the chronology of the vehicle that was involved in the fatal [crash] and the actions of the driver,” Lench said.

A 51-year-old woman died and her 48-year-old sister is in critical condition after they were struck from behind by a vehicle that crossed the centre line and drifted into the shoulder of the opposing lane on Central Saanich Road about 7 p.m. Monday.

The injured woman remains in critical condition at Victoria General Hospital.

One of the two dogs the women were walking also died.

Police are trying to determine what caused the driver to veer. Investigators are interviewing several witnesses and are looking into whether the 27-year-old driver was impaired.

Lench said the occupants of the black sedan could have crucial information about the actions of the driver in the Jeep.

“We’re still obviously following up on the sobriety of the driver [and] they might be able to give us some evidence with regards to that,” he said.

Witnesses might also help police determine whether there was a passenger in the Jeep.

When officers arrived at the scene of the crash on Central Saanich Road, the driver was the sole occupant of the SUV, Lench said, but police are looking into whether there was a passenger in the Jeep leading up to the crash.

Investigators have not yet followed up with the driver of the Jeep to ask about the Mount Newton Cross Road crash, Lench said.

Police ask anyone with information on either crash to call Det. Chad Vincent at 250-652-4441 ext. 3063. To make an anonymous report, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).