Neighbours in the 200 block of Obed Ave were awoken 20 minutes after midnight on December 16th, to the sounds of a crash.  Outside they found two cars that had just collided in the intersection of Obed and Orillia.

Saanich Police arrived minutes later and saw a blue Mazda RX7 and a grey Hyundai Tucson.  The RX7’s passenger side was up against a power pole and a female passenger in the front seat, appeared to be trapped.  As the first officer approached, he saw a fire erupt in the car.  Using the fire extinguisher from his police car, the officer was able to put the fire out before it fully engulfed the car.

With the assistance from other emergency personnel, the 22 year old female passenger was removed from the car.  She was suffering from significant injuries due to both the crash and the fire and was immediately taken to hospital.  She remains in hospital in stable condition.

The driver of the RX7 was also taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and has since been discharged.  He is a 23 year old Esquimalt man and is currently being investigated for impaired driving.

The driver of the Tucson was shaken but uninjured.

It appears that the RX7, travelling on Orillia Ave, failed to stop for the stop sign and collided with the Tucson that was travelling on Obed Ave, which is the through road.  After the collision with the Tucson, the RX7 hit a nearby power pole.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene with extensive damage.

Saanich Police Traffic Collision Analysts attended the crash site and investigation continues.  If you have any information that could help, please call the Saanich Police at 250-475-4321.

(09-31197)