British Columbia's civilian-led police oversight agency has launched a witness appeal following a serious injury incident involving a man on a scooter and Metro Vancouver Transit Police last fall in Surrey.
Incident Details and Police Interaction
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) confirmed the event occurred on October 12, 2023, in the bustling Whalley area near the Surrey Central SkyTrain station. According to the IIO's news release, the sequence began around 5:30 p.m. when Transit Police officers initially attempted to stop a man riding a scooter in the vicinity of the transit hub.
The man reportedly rode away from that initial encounter. He was later located again by a different officer near the intersection of 104th Avenue and 133 A Street, a short distance from the station. It was during this second interaction that the man fell from his scooter, sustaining injuries.
Serious Harm Threshold and Ongoing Investigation
The injured man was transported to a local hospital for treatment and has since been released. The IIO has classified the man's injuries as meeting the provincial standard for "serious harm." Under B.C.'s Police Act, this definition includes injuries that may result in death, cause serious disfigurement, or lead to a substantial loss or impairment of mobility.
As the IIO's mandate is to investigate all police-related incidents resulting in serious harm or death, an investigation is now underway. A core focus for investigators is determining what, if any, role police actions or contact may have played in the man's fall from the scooter.
Public Appeal for Witnesses and Video
To piece together a complete account of the event, the IIO is actively seeking witnesses and any available video footage. Investigators have identified a specific vehicle of interest: a dark-coloured sedan that was seen driving through the intersection of 104th Avenue and 133 A Street immediately after the incident occurred.
The IIO is asking the driver or any passengers in that vehicle, or anyone else who witnessed the event or captured it on dashcam, security, or cellphone video, to come forward. The agency emphasizes that public cooperation is vital for a thorough and impartial investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or through the official website at iiobc.ca.
