Off-duty Mountie cleared of wrongdoing after cyclist seriously injured in Langford, B.C.
![IIO generic Investigators from B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office are seen in this file photo from the IIO.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2020/3/8/iio-generic-1-4844241-1688007871832.jpeg)
British Columbia's police watchdog has cleared an off-duty Mountie of wrongdoing after a cyclist suffered serious injuries in a collision with an unmarked police vehicle last month.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. found the collision in Langford could not have been avoided as neither the cyclist nor the officer saw one another before the crash.
The incident happened around 2:55 p.m. on March 20, when the off-duty Mountie was travelling southbound on Millstream Road between the Trans-Canada Highway and McCallum Road.
The cyclist was exiting a steep driveway that was obscured on both sides by high rock outcroppings when he entered traffic and collided with the police vehicle's driver-side door, according to the police oversight agency.
The Mountie called for an ambulance and the cyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
In a statement Friday, the IIO said it was "difficult, if not impossible, for the collision to have been avoided" as neither the cyclist nor the officer could see each other before the crash.
"Based on the evidence, this incident was an unfortunate accident," the IIO found.
The agency says it reached its finding based on scene analysis and a statement from a civilian witness.
The IIO is an independent police watchdog that investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death in B.C., whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6970476.1721410082!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
The CrowdStrike outage is affecting heath-care services in Canada. Here's what you need to know
A global technology outage that's grounded flights and delayed border crossings is also challenging health-care services in the country, as issues with Microsoft services persist.
Quebec woman's death warns of dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad
Brian McConnell's daughter, Florence McConnell, died after a liposuction surgery complication in Morocco. Now, he warns others against undergoing cosmetic surgeries abroad.
BREAKING Tentative deal to end LCBO strike on hold as province accuses union of introducing new demands
The LCBO strike appears to be back on just hours after a tentative agreement was announced.
opinion Trump's assassination attempt not a political winner
Danger and fear are so pervasive throughout the national political ethos it is now the norm, writes Washington political columnist Eric Ham.
Woman guilty of murdering, dismembering boyfriend in Nanaimo, B.C.
A 28-year-old British Columbia woman has been found guilty of killing and dismembering her boyfriend on Vancouver Island nearly four years ago.
'I feel cheated': Here are the products hit hardest by shrinkflation
Canadians who feel like they are getting less bang for their buck at the grocery store these days might be right. A new report shows the effects of shrinkflation are real.
BREAKING Polar bear 'Baffin' dies at Calgary Zoo after not resurfacing from pool
A polar bear died in its enclosure at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on Friday.
Saskatchewan Party candidate for nomination withdraws, apologizes for putting child in blackface
A former prospective Saskatchewan Party nominee has apologized for putting a student in blackface.
Canadian flights, hospitals, border disrupted during global technology outage
A global technology outage grounded flights, disrupted hospitals and backed up border crossings in Canada on Friday, as issues persisted hours after problems with Microsoft services were said to be getting fixed.