IIO is Investigating a Motor Vehicle Incident in Tappen (2021-106)
Case: 2021-106 Incident Date: April 23, 2021 Agency: RCMP Detachment: Salmon Arm Location: Tappen 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 is investigating a motor vehicle incident in Tappen.
Information provided by the RCMP indicates that on April 22*, 2021 at approximately 5:25 p.m., officers responded to reports of a disturbance at a residence and were advised by one caller that a blue Pontiac Vibe may be associated with that disturbance.
Officers on their way to the residence observed a Pontiac matching the provided description travelling in the opposite direction on allegedly at a high rate of speed on Highway 1. The officers turned around to attempt a traffic stop, but the Pontiac was reportedly already out of sight.
A short time later, the Pontiac was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle on Highway 1 near Sandy Point Road. Emergency Health Services attended and transported the driver of the Pontiac, a female, to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was not seriously injured.
The IIO will investigate to determine what role, if any, police actions or inaction may have played in the woman’s serious injuries.
The IIO is asking any person with relevant information or dashcam footage of the incident to please contact the IIO on 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.
*Correction: the date was initially reported as April 23, 2021 in error.