Vancouver Island shooting victim found behind the wheel at crash scene: RCMP

Police squad car lights. FILE PHOTO (Daniel J. Rowe/CTV News)

Mounties responding to reports of a crash on Vancouver Island found a driver with life-threatening gunshot wounds early Monday morning.

Officers with the West Shore RCMP were called to the scene in Metchosin just after 3 a.m. and found the single vehicle and its lone 40-year-old occupant in a ditch, according to a news release from the detachment.

"The man was taken to the hospital to receive care for serious life-threatening injuries. Police believe the shooting took place at another location and thereafter the man drove himself to the scene of the collision," the statement from police says.

The vehicle was a white 2002 Hyundai Accent and the crash site was on Kangaroo Road between Sooke and Lindholm roads. Anyone driving in the area between midnight and 4 a.m. on Dec. 30 is being urged to review their dash-cam video.

"Police believe this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety," the RCMP said, adding that no further information will be released amid the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to call 250-474-2264