Charges possible for 3 officers after fatal Abbotsford police pursuit, IIO says
Three police officers may face charges in connection to an August 2022 pursuit in Abbotsford that ended with two people dead, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. announced Tuesday.
The incident began around 3 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2022, near the intersection of Livingstone Avenue and Maclure Road.
At that location, officers from the Abbotsford Police Department encountered a white Acura Integra that had been reported stolen in the B.C. Interior and was believed to have "a connection" to the discovery of human remains in a burned out vehicle in Summerland the day before.
The initial officers lost sight of the vehicle and did not attempt to stop it, according to the IIO.
A little more than an hour later, around 4:10 p.m., officers encountered the vehicle again, this time in the parking lot of a strip mall near the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and Commercial Street. This time, the IIO says, police attempted to stop the vehicle, and pursued it when it fled.
During the pursuit, the Acura went off of Maclure Road near Clearbrook Road and collided with a tree. The driver was taken to hospital, where he soon died. The female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
After reviewing the evidence in the case, IIO chief civilian director Ronald J. MacDonald determined "reasonable grounds exist to believe that three officers may have committed offences" and has submitted a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges, according to the IIO.
Prosecutors will now review the case and decide whether any officers should be charged.
"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," the IIO's statement reads.
The IIO looks into all incidents involving police officers in B.C. that result in death or serious harm, regardless of whether there is any allegation of wrongdoing on the part of police.
In its statement Tuesday, the IIO did not specify what offences MacDonald believes the officers may have committed. It said it will not be making any additional comments on the case while the matter is with the Crown.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.