IIO is Investigating a Death in Maple Ridge (2024-222)
Case: 2024-222 Incident Date: September 19, 2024 Location: Maple Ridge Agency: RCMP Detachment: Ridge Meadows Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Open - Investigation in ProgressINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating the death of one man in Maple Ridge.
Information provided by the RCMP states that at about 7:00 p.m. on September 19, 2024, police responded to a report of a GMC Sierra pickup truck being driven erratically in the area of Lougheed Highway and Old Dewdney Trunk Road in Pitt Meadows.
The Sierra was stopped by police, and the man driving was arrested and transported to Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment cells.
At about 11:45 p.m., the man was found to be in medical distress, and Emergency Health Services were called. Despite life-saving measures, the man was subsequently pronounced deceased.
The IIO was notified of the death shortly after it occurred and commenced an investigation. Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm the details of the arrest, medical event, and death to determine if there are reasonable grounds to believe that any officer may have committed an offence.
The IIO is asking any person with video footage or relevant information about the incident to please contact the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.
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.