IIO files for consideration of charges related to RCMP vehicle collision last year north of Prince George

SURREY—The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has filed a report in consideration of charges in relation to an incident that occurred in August of last year.

The IIO filed the report to the BC Prosecution Service regarding IIO file 2022-093.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on August 19, 2021, an RCMP officer driving an unmarked police SUV was involved in a collision with a blue Kia Rio on Highway 97 near Industrial Way in the Bear Lake area. The female driver of the Kia was transported to a hospital to be treated for what were believed to be minor injuries, and notification to the IIO was not completed at that time. The IIO was subsequently notified by the affected person in April, at which time the injuries were confirmed to meet the threshold of serious harm as defined by the Police Act.

Upon completion of an investigation into the incident, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, QC, determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that the officer may have committed a driving offence. 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.