IIO Concludes Investigation into Kelowna Incident (2020-177)
Case: 2020-177 Incident Date: July 25, 2020 Location: Kelowna Detachment: Kelowna Agency: RCMP 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 is concluding an investigation into a Kelowna incident.
As detailed in the IIO’s previous release, on July 25, 2020 at approximately 1:40 a.m., officers attended a motor vehicle incident involving two vehicles at the intersection of Richter Street and Clement Avenue. Officers spoke to the drivers of both vehicles and called Emergency Health Services (EHS). EHS attended and spoke to the two drivers and found that the male driver of one of the vehicles, the affected person in this case, had not been injured in the collision. Both vehicles were removed from the scene via tow truck and, once discussions with officers were completed, the man departed the area on foot. He was found deceased approximately six hours later, less than one kilometer away from where the collision took place. The man’s death was not related to the motor vehicle collision.
The IIO’s Chief Civilian Director (CCD) has reviewed the evidence – including statements from independent witnesses and video sources – which shows that the man was cooperative when speaking with police following the collision and he left the scene on foot of his own volition after speaking to EHS. Therefore, the CCD has determined that there was no connection between the death of the man and the actions or inactions of officers on the scene and the 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.