Published 3:00 pm Saturday, January 10, 2026
By News Staff Victoria
A Facebook post shows a car ablaze on the Malahat. (DriveBC)
A DriveBC camera shows a Malahat detour available via Shawnigan Lake Road. (DriveBC)
One person is dead after a vehicle incident ground Malahat traffic to a halt Saturday afternoon.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that two vehicles collided head-on,” Shawnigan Lake RCMP said in a news release. “As a result of the collision, one vehicle went down an embankment, while the second vehicle became engulfed in flames.”
The incident, which involved at least four people, occurred south of Mill Bay in the 1200 block of Highway 1.
Shawnigan Lake RCMP says one woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while the condition of the remaining occupants has not been confirmed at this time.
BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), which shortly after 1:15 p.m. deployed three basic life-support ambulances, two advanced life-support ambulances, a paramedic supervisor and an air ambulance to the scene, says three patients were transported to hospital – one in critical condition and two in stable condition.
A BC Highway Patrol Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service team has been deployed to assist with the investigation.
“Highway 1 is expected to experience significant delays and will be closed while emergency responders and investigators remain on scene,” Shawnigan Lake RCMP. “Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible and follow direction from traffic control personnel. Motorists are advised to check DriveBC for road updates.”
DriveBC said in an X post at 2:22 p.m. that the Malahat is closed in both directions. A detour is available via Shawnigan Lake Road.
Mounties are asking those who witnessed the collision and who have not yet spoken to an investigator or have any dash camera footage of the incident to contact Shawnigan Lake RCMP and quote file number 26-86.
More to come.

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