IIO is Investigating an Incident in Logan Lake (2023-212)
Case: 2023-212 Incident Date: July 23, 2023 Location: Merritt Detachment: Merritt Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - With 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 Logan Lake where three people died.
Information provided by the RCMP states that at about 6:25 a.m. on July 23, 2023, police received a call from staff at the Best Western in Merritt as they reported that a man had damaged a hotel room and they sought assistance in having him leave. The man was reportedly cooperative collected his belongings and departed at about 10:00 a.m. after speaking to police.
At about 11:30 a.m. the same day, the man was involved in a fatal two-vehicle collision on Highway 97D outside of Logan Lake. Three people died in the collision – the man police spoke to in Merritt, and the driver and passenger of the other vehicle.
The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after the collision occurred. Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm what role, if any, police actions or inactions may have played in the collision.
The IIO is asking any person with relevant information or video footage of 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.