A 21-year-old University of Victoria student was killed in a serious crash that shut down Shelbourne Street and McKenzie Avenue Friday night (Jan. 31).
Matthew Daniel Pieczarka died in Victoria General Hospital after driving a pickup truck off the road at the Shelbourne/McKenzie intersection, striking a utility pole and two lamp standards.
Police were called at 7:30 p.m. with reports of a truck, heading northbound on Shelbourne, that had crossed into oncoming traffic at McKenzie and ended up against a tree at the Esso gas station.
Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to extract the driver from the vehicle. He died later in the evening.
Initial statements from witnesses are leading police to believe that speed is a contributing factor in the crash, though Saanich police Sgt. Steve Eassie said they do not yet know the reason for speeding.