IIO Concludes Investigation into a July 2023 Motor Vehicle Incident in Burnaby (2023-201)
Case: 2023-201 Incident Date: July 19, 2023 Agency: Municipal Location: Vancouver Detachment: Vancouver Police Department Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - Without Public ReportINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has concluded investigation 2023-201 into the death of one person and injuries of two others in a collision in Burnaby.
Shortly before 5:00 a.m. on July 19, 2023, a Vancouver Police Department officer observed a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driving eastbound on East Hastings Street go through a red light at Clark Drive at a high rate of speed. The officer did a U-turn at Clark Drive and drove on East Hastings Street in the direction the truck went.
The IIO commenced an investigation to determine if the actions or inactions of the officer may have played any role in the behaviour of the driver of the Silverado, and therefore may have been a factor in the subsequent collision that occurred at the intersection of Hastings Street and Willingdon Avenue.
Video and photographic evidence from multiple sources confirms that the officer who observed the speeding truck did not attempt to stop it, but instead drove in the same direction after broadcasting the truck’s information to other officers in the area. The evidence shows the officer driving at a low rate of speed and without activating their emergency lights some distance behind the Silverado.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including video footage from many sources, photographs, and police records – and determined that neither police actions nor inaction were responsible for the collision. Given the recklessness exhibited by the driver of the Silverado, the officer appropriately determined that a pursuit could be unsafe and did not attempt it. The officer therefore did not play a role in the subsequent collision, nor the tragic death and injuries that followed.
The IIO investigation is now concluded.
Background
The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.