IIO Concludes Investigation into an April 2022 Motor Vehicle Incident in Vancouver (2022-068)
Case: 2022-068 Incident Date: April 5, 2022 Agency: Municipal Location: Vancouver Detachment: Vancouver Police Department Incident Classification: Serious Harm 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 2022-068 into a motor vehicle incident in Vancouver.
At about 8:05 p.m. on April 5, 2022, officers with the Vancouver Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a Nissan in the 1500-block of Main Street. Video evidence from a nearby business confirms that the Nissan did not stop and made contact with the police vehicle before leaving the area. GPS data from the police vehicle and an independent witness to the subsequent collision confirm that the officers did not pursue the Nissan.
A short time later, the Nissan was involved in a collision with two other vehicles, a Mercedes and a Ford, near the intersection of East 2nd Avenue and Quebec Street. The two occupants of the Mercedes and the sole occupant of the Ford were transported to the hospital.
The driver of the Nissan left the scene on foot and was taken into custody with the assistance of a police service dog a short time later. The driver sustained minor injuries during arrest.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including video footage, police vehicle data, an independent witness statement, medical information and police records – and determined that police actions are not responsible for the collision. The officers appropriately did not pursue the Nissan when it was clear that the driver did not intend to stop, and they therefore are not to blame for the subsequent actions of the Nissan driver.
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.