BC’s police watchdog has cleared Nelson RCMP and Nelson Police of any wrongdoing in the death of a 25-year-old man who crashed his vehicle west of Nelson in January.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is the independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
In the morning of January 18, the 25-year-old Blewett man was driving on Highway 3A when his vehicle left the road.
Police were notified of the collision later that evening when the man failed to arrive at his destination on time.
He was eventually located deceased the next morning in his vehicle at the bottom of a steep embankment. His vehicle was not visible from the highway, with the terrain where he was found containing large boulders and trees.
The IIO was notified of the incident on April 14 after the mans family raised concerns with how police handled its search of the man after he was reported missing.
A investigation was launched shortly after and concluded on June 11.
According to a IIO statement, a review of evidence – including medical records, witness statements, cell phone data, and police reports – led the delegate of the chief civilian director to conclude there was no link between police action or inaction and the man’s death.
As a result, Central Kootenay RCMP members and Nelson police officers have been cleared of wrongdoing, with the IIO saying it believes police conducted reasonable search efforts after the man was reported missing.
The investigation has been closed.
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