IIO Files Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding October 2021 Motor Vehicle Incident near Merritt (2021-295)
Case: 2021-295 Incident Date: October 27, 2021 Detachment: BC Highway Patrol Location: Chilliwack Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - No charges approved by Crown CounselINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has filed a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges regarding IIO file 2021-295.
Shortly after noon on October 27, 2021, a member of the BC Highway Patrol was attempting to conduct a traffic stop of a white Honda southbound beginning near the intersection of Highway 5A and Highway 5 before discontinuing.
The Honda was subsequently involved in a collision with another civilian vehicle some distance away.
The male passenger of the Honda sustained serious injuries in the collision and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver, also a male, sustained minor injuries.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, QC, reviewed the evidence and determined that, while there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer’s actions were connected to the collision, reasonable grounds do exist to believe that the officer may have committed an offence in relation to the operation of their police vehicle. As a result, and pursuant to Section 38.11 of the Police Act, the IIO has forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.
In order to approve any charges, the BC Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest.
While the matter is with Crown, the IIO will not be making any additional comment about the facts of this case.
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.