B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating after a five-year-old Penticton boy was struck and killed by an off-duty RCMP officer.
The child was crossing the intersection of Highway 97 and Fairview Road with family members when the unnamed officer struck him with his pickup truck around 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The boy, whom CTV News has identified as James Christian McIntosh, was rushed to hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
McIntosh’s principal at Holy Cross Elementary School said he’s visited the child’s parent and they are devastated.
“They’re crushed, as rightfully they should be,” Shawn Campbell said. “We wish to give as much support as we can for the parents and for our students here at the school that are also feeling the tragedy.”
School staff said the Mountie involved, who is from the Penticton detachment, is also grief-stricken.
Because law enforcement was involved, the crash triggered a probe by the Independent Investigations Office, which is tasked with investigating all police incidents that result in serious harm or death in B.C.
The IIO said it was contacted nearly two hours after the collision, at 6:49 p.m., and dispatched members to the scene immediately.
Few details about the circumstances of the crash have been confirmed, but CTV News has learned the family was crossing at a marked crosswalk.
It’s unclear whether the family or officer had the right-of-way. A child’s bicycle and helmet was left on the side of the road following the crash.
IIO investigators said they’re hoping to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident. Anyone with information can contact the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
