The family of a late young man is searching for answers and accountability after they say he somehow evaded 24/7 supervision in a state of psychosis and escaped Vernon Jubilee Hospital, wearing only hospital pyjamas and socks, only to be fatally struck by a semi-truck about a kilometre from the place where he should have been kept safe.
Ezra Cool died in the early hours of Feb. 12 after being struck by the semi, which was heading east on Highway 6 near the 27th Street intersection. The former Royal Canadian Sea Cadet was 22 years old.
Lisa Cool-Ellsworth, Ezra’s aunt, and Teanna Dranchuk, Ezra’s cousin, collectively created a social media post to share that Ezra was suffering from psychosis, knew he needed support, and checked himself into the hospital.
After an assessment, he was certified under the Mental Health Act, meaning he was admitted involuntarily and “should have been under direct 24/7 supervision,” according to the family.
“He did exactly what we tell people to do when they are struggling,” they said
Somewhere along the way, the system failed him, the family alleges.
He spent six days in the emergency department because there was no room in the psychiatric ward, the family claims, and then he managed to escape the hospital.
Family said that while still certified under the Act, and while in hospital pyjamas and socks, Ezra was struck by the semi less than two hours after he had escaped.
The semi did not remain at the scene, and police have urged the driver to come forward.
“Our family is left grieving and demanding answers. How does someone in active psychosis, certified under the Mental Health Act, escape out of care in his hospital pjs and socks after six days?
“Our family is now grieving a loss that should never have occurred. We are sharing his story not only to honour him, but to ask how this can happen – and what needs to change so no other family experiences this.”
An online fundraiser has been launched for Ezra’s family, who now have to cover the expenses associated with a funeral they were far from expecting.
Police are still investigating the hit-and-run incident. The RCMP said last week it believes Ezra was in the travel portion of Highway 6 when he was struck by the cab section of a commercial tractor unit.
“It is of the utmost importance that the police speak with the driver of the semi and we are urging them to come forward,” said RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Tania Finn on Feb. 12.
“To assist with the investigation, police are requesting witnesses and anyone with dash cam footage from the area around the time of the collision to come forward,” Finn added.
Anyone with information regarding this collision, including dash cam footage on Highway 6 between the Science Centre entrance and 27th Street intersection during the time frame of 7 a.m. and 7:25 is urged to contact RCMP at 250-545-7171.
The Morning Star has reached out to Interior Health for comment.