Two vehicle collisions left Victoria police scrambling Thursday afternoon (July 19).

The incident with more serious results saw a 63-year-old Saanich motorcyclist collide with a Smart Car, sending the rider to hospital with critical injuries.

The driver of the vehicle, an 87-year-old Victoria woman, was turning left from Douglas Street onto Market Street around 4 p.m., police said.

A collision earlier in the day involved a commercial truck and a cyclist.

The northbound truck was making a right turn onto Burdett Avenue off Douglas Street when the cyclist became trapped underneath the vehicle.

The rider escaped with minor injuries, but his bike was destroyed, said police spokesman Mike Tucker.

"I think this serves as an important reminder for vehicles to always shoulder check their blind spot. It's what known in the cycling community as being right-hooked," he said, stressing that cyclists also have a responsibility to make themselves visible to drivers.

VicPD crash analysts continue to investigate both collisions.

dpalmer@vicnews.com