IIO Seeks Witnesses to January 11 Arrest Following a Collision in Qualicum Beach (2025-013)

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is seeking witnesses to a January 11, 2025 arrest of one woman in Qualicum Beach near Parksville.

Information provided by the RCMP states, that shortly after 10 a.m., police responded to a minor traffic collision outside a laundry facility attached to a Shell Gas Station in the 2700-block of Island Highway West in Qualicum Beach.

A woman driving a black 2009 Jeep Patriot was involved in a collision with a parked vehicle and was still in the driver’s seat when police arrived.

Officers spoke with the woman, who displayed signs of impairment in her speech.

Police eventually arrested the woman and took her to the RCMP detachment where she was lodged in cells.

Later that day, police in the detachment observed the woman in a state of medical distress while inside a cell. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital in serious condition.

Hospital staff later determined the woman had suffered a medical event resulting in a serious injury.

The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred and has commenced an investigation. Initial investigative steps will seek to further determine the nature of the woman’s injuries. Further investigation will examine whether the officers’ actions leading up to and during the arrest were necessary, reasonable, and proportionate in the circumstances.

The IIO is asking that any witnesses that have not already provided a statement, or who have other video footage of the incident, to please contact the IIO at our 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.

info@iiobc.ca