IIO Concludes Investigation into October 2022 Motor Vehicle Incident in Chase (2022-272)

Information Bulletin
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has concluded its investigation into a motor vehicle incident in Chase, determining that the collision was not the result of the action or inaction of an officer.

On October 16, 2022, Kamloops RCMP were contacted by an individual with concerns about a man who was planning to drive to Calgary. The caller expressed doubt about the man’s ability to do so safely. He stated that the man was waiting at the caller’s location and available to speak to police before departing.

The non-police call-takers issued an alert to police to be on the lookout for the car in question. Operational issues, however, caused a 42-minute delay in dispatching information about the potential inability of the man to drive safely and in sharing that he was waiting to speak to police.

The man waited for approximately 30 minutes from the time of the call before departing the caller’s location. A few hours later, he was involved in a collision with an oncoming vehicle on Highway 1 near Chase. The man was seriously injured and airlifted to hospital for treatment; the occupants of the other vehicle were also injured.

The IIO’s Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the records and evidence and determined that, given the delay in the dispatch of information to police, the collision cannot be said to be the result of the actions or inactions of an officer. Accordingly, the matter will not be referred to Crown Counsel for consideration of charges, and the IIO’s investigation is 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.

info@iiobc.ca