Son of former city councillor identified as crash victim

VICTORIA The victim of a fatal crash Saturday on Highway 1 north of Victoria has been identified as David Tilley, a 46-year-old Vancouver man and the son of a former St. John’s city councillor.

“It is with heavy hearts we announce the death of David, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle in Victoria B.C. following a tragic car accident on June 9, 2018, aged 46,” his family wrote in an online obituary.

Tilley is the son of Bruce and Ruth Tilley. Bruce Tilley spent 20 years as a councillor in St. John’s, N.L.

Current St. John’s councillor Sheilagh O’Leary wrote on her Facebook page: “My sincere condolences go out to former council colleague Bruce Tilley and to his family on this tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.”

Tilley was driving the southbound vehicle when it was struck head-on by an oncoming vehicle at about 1 p.m., about 3.5 kilometres south of the Malahat summit just north of Aspen Road. Tilley’s wife, Justine, was in the car and is in hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the northbound vehicle suffered injuries and is being investigated for impaired driving.

“Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this fatal collision and police investigators are gathering evidence as to the level of impairment of the female driver and any driving evidence observed by witnesses,” West Shore RCMP Cpl. Chris Dovell said in a statement.

The West Shore RCMP traffic unit and the RCMP South Island traffic services collision analyst are investigating.