The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) is investigating whether police action or inaction contributed to people’s injuries in an ATV crash north of Terrace on the weekend, according to an RCMP media release.
Two officers from the Terrace detachment were conducting patrols along the West Kalum Forest Service Road (FSR) around 6 p.m. on May 23. They encountered two men and one woman speeding south and attempted to stop the vehicle. The RCMP state that none of the riders were wearing helmets and the driver failed to stop.
At around 6:15 p.m., a single-vehicle collision near Hart Farm on the West Kalum FSR was reported to BC Emergency health services and police. Police arrived at the scene and found an ATV and three injured people.
According to the RCMP, the ATV is believed to be the same one that had failed to stop earlier.
“The woman was transported to a larger area hospital for treatment of potentially life-threatening injuries while the two men were transported to a local area hospital for treatment of serious injuries,” stated RCMP.
The IIO BC confirmed that the woman was declared deceased on the evening of May 25.
The cause of the ATV crash remains under investigation, according to Terrace Mounties alcohol and speed are believed to have been contributing factors.
Police will not be releasing any further information regarding the incident, as the matter is now under investigation by the IIO BC — an independent civilian oversight agency of B.C. police.
The IIO BC is asking anyone with relevant information contact its toll-free witness line at 1-855-446-8477, or fill out a contact form on its website.
More to come.
