Image Credit: Contributed / Nathan Ritchie

By James Peters

IIO Investigation

IIO hopes to have motorcycle crash probe finished in a matter of weeks

May 21, 2019 | 3:41 PM

KAMLOOPS — The head of the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) says he hopes the probe into a weekend crash in Valleyview that seriously injured a motorcyclist will be wrapped up in a matter of weeks.

Ron McDonald says the crash happened Saturday night on the Trans Canada Highway in Valleyview near Comazzetto Road.

McDonald says a short time before the crash, an RCMP member had pulled the motorcyclist over for speeding. McDonald says just as the member exited the cruiser, the motorcyclist took off again.

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While the traffic stop may seem isolated from the crash, McDonald says that’s what the IIO must determine.

“We have to confirm what steps, if any, the officer took. Was there any pursuit, etc. thereafter? While we get an initial report, we have to confirm that information, obviously, through our investigation. That’s the whole point of having the independent body — to do exactly that,” said McDonald.

Several witnesses have already made statements, according to McDonald, and that may expedite the investigation’s timeline.

“It’s always impossible to put a specific time on it. We do want to make sure we have the most relevant evidence so that when we report out to the public — if that’s what we wind up doing — that we can give them the complete story. So it may take some time yet, but I’m hoping this one will be more in the matter of weeks than months,” said McDonald.

As for the motorcyclist, he remains in hospital, but his prognosis is positive.

“Our understanding is he is going to be all right. Fortunately the injuries, although serious, weren’t such that they were life-threatening,” said McDonald. “We understand that hopefully he’ll be released from hospital soon.”