One man dead after vehicle incident at downtown Nanaimo gas bar

Nanaimo RCMP confirm a man has died following a motor-vehicle incident early Wednesday morning in the parking lot of the Co-op gas bar on Victoria Crescent in downtown Nanaimo.

Police investigating after early-morning incident

The force said Wednesday the investigation remains in the early stages. Officers responded alongside fire and ambulance crews after reports of an incident at about 6:30 a.m. Witness accounts provided to reporters describe a fuel truck manoeuvring in the gas-bar lot and a separate black car approaching from Old Victoria Road.

• Location: Co-op gas bar parking lot, Victoria Crescent, downtown Nanaimo
• Time reported: approximately 6:30 a.m.
• Outcome: one man deceased; RCMP investigation ongoing

Witness Kevan Shaw told reporters he heard the fuel truck reversing toward the pumps while the driver sounded the horn. At the same time a black car was honking as it came out of Old Victoria Road, and Shaw said the car "scurried around the truck" and the drivers exchanged words.

"At the same time, there was a black car coming out of Old Victoria Road that was honking his horn at the truck," Shaw said.

Shortly after, emergency crews arrived. Shaw said he later saw a blanket beside the cab of the fuel truck and believed it was covering a body. He relayed information he had gathered from people in the area who said the person under the blanket was unhoused.

Traffic and community impact

Victoria Crescent was temporarily closed to traffic while police conducted initial work at the scene, though the roadway has since been reopened. Police have asked motorists to avoid the area while inquiries continue.

Next steps

Nanaimo RCMP did not release further identifying information and said investigators remain on scene handling the inquiry. InfoRadar will monitor for official updates from police and emergency services and report confirmed details as they become available.