Driver seriously injured after crashing into tree, fire hydrant in west-end Halifax

The man behind the wheel ofa high-powered sports car that crashed early Friday morningremains in an intensive care unit in a Halifax hospital.

Police say he suffered life-threatening injuries when he was involved in thesingle-car crash at 1:30 a.m. In a news release, police said the car was driving northbound on Connaught from QuinpoolRoad, when the driver lost control and struck a tree and fire hydrant near Oak Street.

A female passengersitting in the front seat was treated at the scene and released.

Friends of the crash victim were shocked when they heard the news early Friday morning.

"He never made any big mistakes before, so when I heard it, I was kind of shocked," said Paul Zhang, owner of YST Auto in Lower Sackville. "I'm feeling really bad for him."

Zhang says the victim, whomCBCNews is not naming at this time, is a client of his.

The man crashed his yellow 2018 Audi R-8, and heavily damaged the car, which has its V-10, 600-horsepower engine behind the seats.

Zhang says he doesn't believe his client and friend was speeding. The victim has already gone through one surgery at the hospital and will be undergoing another on Saturday, he said.

Zhang says many people are praying for the victim and posting online wishing him a safe recovery.

"I'm glad it's Thanksgiving weekend because it means we'll be able to spend more time in the hospital with him," said Zhang.

Zhang says he's upset by some of the comments people are making on Facebook and Instagram posts. He says people are making assumptions the crash was caused by speeding.

According to Zhang, the victim grew up in China but moved to Canada several years ago and is a graduate of Dalhousie University. He and his fiancee were planning to get married in two weeks.

A second vehicle, an undamaged Camaro with Ontario license plates, was also towed away.

Police have not said why the vehicle was towed because it is part of their ongoing investigation.However police officers on the scene said the two vehicles were not believed to have been racing.