IIO Refers Report to Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding November 2024 Fatal Motor Vehicle Incident Near Nakusp (2024-274)
Case: 2024-274 Incident Date: November 25, 2024 Detachment: Nakusp Location: Nakusp Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Referral to Crown Counsel (RTCC)INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has referred a matter to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges (IIO 2024-274).
Shortly after 3 p.m., on November 25, 2024, police located a green 2003 Ford F350 pickup truck that had been reported stolen, travelling south on Highway 6 approximately one kilometre south of Nakusp.
One officer driving a marked police vehicle attempted to stop the vehicle, but a short time later, the pickup truck was involved in a single-vehicle collision, leaving the highway and crashing into a ditch.
The man driving the vehicle was killed in the collision. A female passenger was arrested before being taken to the hospital and later released.
The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred and started an investigation.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that the officer may have committed driving offences in relation to the use of their 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.