Max Poley Obituary, Death; – Students and faculty at North Island College’s Courtenay, B.C. campus are mourning the loss of a student who succumbed to a brain injury after colliding with a cyclist on the evening of September 16.

Carissa Wilson, the executive director of the North Island Students’ Union, reported that Max Poley, 24, had completed his regular evening shift at the NISU Eats cafeteria that night and was on his way home when the accident occurred.

Wilson stated that Poley was admitted to intensive care at Victoria General Hospital and was initially recovering, but later experienced an inoperable brain bleed and passed away on Monday.
“He was conversing with family and even managed to share a few jokes,” she informed CBC News.

“However, he was still fluctuating between consciousness. Head injuries can be extremely challenging during the initial weeks,” she added.
The Comox Valley RCMP have confirmed that they are investigating the incident, and the cyclist involved has been identified.

B.C. Emergency Health Services informed CBC News that they received a call at 8:49 p.m. PT on September 16, near the intersection of Ryan Road and Back Road.

One individual was taken to the hospital in stable condition, while another was transported in serious condition, according to paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites.
Wilson mentioned that Poley resided near Back Road and frequently walked home along Ryan Road, a steep and heavily trafficked road in East Courtenay with a narrow shoulder.

Wilson relayed that a health worker informed Poley’s mother that the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk at the time of the collision, although this detail has not been confirmed by the RCMP.

“We are continuing to seek further information regarding the collision and the circumstances surrounding the incident,” stated Const. Monika Terragni of the Comox Valley RCMP.
Wilson recounted that she met Poley a few years ago on campus, describing him as an “absolutely delightful young man.”

“This is truly heartbreaking,” she expressed.