Updated: Collision at Somenos Road and highway injures two, one left in critical condition
Two Duncanites were injured, one critically, during Friday's early-morning collision at Somenos Road and the Trans-Canada Highway, police say.
The highway was closed for several hours while Mounties and paramedics, one off-duty, attended the scene at 4:50 a.m.
"A small red Nissan was located on the northbound shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway, with major damage to its driver's side," said North Cowichan/Duncan Cpl. Jon Stuart.
"A lone female driver was found seriously injured in the driver's seat. Police tended to her until an off-duty paramedic arrived on scene to assist."
RCMP also found a grey Freightliner tractor-trailer in the highway's southbound lane.
"The truck had major damage to its front end. The truck driver stated both vehicles were travelling south on the Trans- Canada Highway when the red car turned in front of him at Somenos Road."
The car driver, a 56-year-old female from the Duncan area, suffered serious injuries. The News Leader Pictorial has learned that woman is Loretta Page, a local Walmart worker.
She was taken by ambulance to Cowichan District Hospital, then transferred to a Victoria hospital where she's currently in critical condition, Stuart reports.
The driver of the semi-truck, a 41-year-old Duncan resident, was also taken to hospital for examination.
The drivers' names haven't been released.
A collision analyst was called to the scene, and the highway was closed for several hours while the wreck's investigation was conducted, said Stuart.
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