B.C.’s police watchdog has been notified about a highway crash where a motorcyclist died after reportedly been observed by police speeding and driving erratically.
A B.C. Highway Patrol officer was doing speed enforcement on Highway 99 when the officer saw two motorcyclists allegedly speeding and driving erratically around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, according to a news release from B.C. RCMP Monday.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C., the police watchdog, said the B.C. Highway Patrol officer attempted a traffic stop on the two motorcyclists travelling southbound, but they did not stop.
The B.C. RCMP says the officer left their position along the highway and moments later found one of the motorcyclists in crash with a recreational vehicle. The motorcyclists, a woman, died at the scene.
The watchdog says the crash happened near the Deeks Creek Bridge.
B.C. RCMP has since notified the police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., of the incident. The watchdog investigates after considering two factors: if there has been an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm or death and if there is a connection between the serious harm or death and officer action or inaction.
B.C. Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash.
Police are looking for witnesses or dash-cam video. Anyone who may have seen the motorcyclists, or may have dash-cam video of them, between Britannia Beach and the crash scene are asked to contact 604-526-9744.