Update (January 8):

Nanaimo RCMP announced today that the 38-year-old driver was arrested at his residence on the evening of January 7 for the incident on January 6. He was arrested for dangerous driving and mischief, and held in custody overnight for his appearance in court today. 

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Original article (January 7):

After a truck inexplicably drove repeatedly into several buildings and vehicles at a mall on Vancouver Island yesterday, a man is in hospital as an investigation into the incident continues on.

Prior to 7 p.m. on January 6, a pickup truck drove into several businesses at the Country Club Mall in Nanaimo.

Over the course of two to three minutes, the truck struck at least three buildings and two vehicles. One of the two vehicles, an occupied Honda Civic, was destroyed but the 30-year-old male driver of that vehicle did not sustain any injuries.  

A CIBC bank, a Shoppers Drug Mart, and Urban Barn all received structural damage.

Although initial reports stated that pedestrians had been struck, Nanaimo RCMP stated that those reports have been found to be false.

Officers arrived at the scene to find the suspect vehicle lodged into the exterior wall of a CIBC bank.

A 38-year-old male driver of the pickup appeared to be in distress and he was taken to hospital. He remained in hospital overnight but has not been arrested or charged with any offences yet. His identity has not been released.

Witnesses told police that the driver drove the suspect vehicle through the parking lot at high speed directly into various buildings for unknown reasons.

“At this time, investigators are exploring the possibility that the driver may have been impaired by drugs,” Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O'Brien stated in a news release. “These investigations are often lengthy and time consuming, and it may be several months, if not longer, before investigators are in a position to forward charges for approval.”