Slamming on the brakes to let a squirrel cross the road came at a cost for a driver who caused a multi-vehicle crash in Nanaimo, B.C.

RCMP say the 53-year-old man's vehicle was rear-ended by a commercial food truck and two pickups on the Island Highway. One vehicle was so damaged it needed to be towed.

Police say the man hit the brakes to let a squirrel dash across two lanes of traffic last Friday.

The highway was closed for some time to clear away the debris during the morning rush hour.

Paramedics at the scene determined that none of the motorists needed to be treated in hospital.

RCMP say that braking on highways where speeds can be up to 110 kilometres an hour is dangerous and may cause serious collisions.