The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has taken over the investigation of a crash in Rutland early this morning which seriously injured a pedestrian newspaper carrier at the intersection of Dundee and Dundas Roads.
The IIO stated that contrary to original reports, it was not a police cruiser that struck Capital News newspaper carrier Steve Kania, but a vehicle that was being pursued by police after the driver failed to stop at a roadside impaired driving check.
“A pursuit reported ensued and ended when the subject vehicle struck a pedestrian. The affected person was taken to hospital,” said an IIO news release issued early this afternoon.
“The IIO was notified at 12:58 a.m. and deployed investigators, including a Level 4 Traffic Reconstructionist.
“The IIO and RCMP will work within the terms agreed upon in the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by the Chief Civilian Director and B.C.’s police services in July, 2012.
“The Kelowna RCMP remains responsible for any and all parallel investigations.”
The accident occurred at the intersection of Dundee and Dundas Roads in Rutland, off Highway 33, the evidence left behind late this morning being a destroyed fire hydrant, tire tracks on the grass shoulder and blood on the street where the leaking hydrant water had frozen.
The newspaper carrier, Steve Kania, delivered both The Courier and the Capital News. He is believed to have been delivering the Capital News, pulling his newspapers with his red wagon when the accident occurred. Kania’s mother told the Capital News circulation staff that her son suffered a broken leg and was in a coma due to head injuries.
Kania worked for Capital News for more than seven years, a young male adult in his late 20s who lives with him mom.
“He was very diligent on his route. It was a very unfortunate accident,” said Capital News circulation manager Glenn Beaudry, who noted Kania was delivering today’s edition of the Capital News.
He added newspaper carriers safety procedures call for the company to supply reflective vests when delivering newspapers after dark.
Watch for more details at www.kelownacapnews.com.
