Investigations into a collision between an off duty RCMP officer in Kelowna and a cyclist are complete.
The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia believes the officer was not responsible for the collision of the cyclist, who sustained serious injuries.
“Rather, the evidence points to a careless act on the part of the (cyclist), possibly caused by his heroin use, when he cycled out of a dark, shady area under the trees next to a six-lane highway in dark clothing and with no lights,” the newspaper said IIO report.
“(The cyclist) drove right in the path of (the officer), who was shown to be driving normally and responding as quickly and appropriately as would be expected under the circumstances.”
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 25, 2019 when the officer drove home in his personal vehicle after his shift.
He was driving east on Highway 97 when he suddenly had to swerve to avoid the cyclist who came “out of nowhere” around Cooper Road.
The officer could not completely avoid a collision and collided with the cyclist at a speed of about 60 km / h.
The officer and a witness driving behind him on the highway attended to the injured man, who was wearing a black hoodie and had no reflective lights.
Paramedics eventually arrived at the scene and treated the man who admitted to having used heroin that night.
He suffered a broken leg and a concussion.
For a more detailed presentation of the IIO investigation, click on this link.
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