Independent Investigations Office to probe fatal vehicle accident involving man in distress near Hells Gate

HELLS GATE – B.C.’s police watchdog agency has launched an inquiry into a fatal vehicular accident that happened earlier today near Hells Gate.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. is investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident that happened early Thursday (Jul. 14) near Hells Gate, about halfway between Hope and Lytton, on Highway 1.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police received a call of a man in distress, or experiencing a crisis, at about 9:15 a.m. Roughly 45 minutes later, an officer observed a vehicle driving northbound on Highway 1. A short time later, the vehicle went off the road and veered down the nearby cliff.

The sole occupant of the vehicle was declared deceased at the scene.