IIO clears Abbotsford police officer of any wrongdoing in April 2021 crash

ABBOTSFORD — B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has determined the actions of an Abbotsford police officer were not responsible for a crash or the injuries suffered by an 18-year-old woman driving a car that lost control along McCallum Road early in the morning of April 26, 2021.

Evidence in the case revealed the officer was in a high-speed pursuit of the woman. However once the officer determined the woman would not stop, he reduced his speed. The woman continued to speed away and lost control of her vehicle at the intersection of McCallum and Highway 11. The violent crash tore the vehicle in half and ejected the driver. The woman survived the crash but has no memory of the incident.

In his report, IIO Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald said the loss of control of the woman’s vehicle was not caused by the officer. As a result, the matter will not be referred to Crown counsel for the consideration of charges.

The purpose IIO investigations is to determine whether an action or inaction of a police officer resulted in an offence and resulted in serious harm to death.