An off-duty RCMP officer will not face charges in connection with a car accident in Coquitlam last spring.
The Criminal Justice Branch (CJB) released a report Monday stating that although the available evidence indicates the officer was speeding at the time, a prosecution under the Motor Vehicle Act is not in the public interest.
The officer was driving home in his personal vehicle on the evening of April 5, 2015 and was eastbound on David Avenue when the driver of a Hyundai Santa Fe travelling north on Riley Street crossed in front of him in an attempt to turn left on to David.
Both vehicles were heavily damaged and the driver of the Santa Fe received significant injuries. The officer was treated in hospital and released later the same day.
Electronic data from the officer's vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, indicated it was going just under 60 km/h before the air bag activation. Data from the Santa Fe showed it was travelling at 25 km/h five seconds before air bag activation, slowing to 14 km/h before accelerating to 23 km/h at the time of the activation pulse.
The CJB report concluded the data shows the Santa Fe did not stop at the Riley Street stop sign before turning on to David.
The Independent Investigations Office, which investigates all incidents of death or serious harm in which an on- or off-duty police officer is involved, submitted a report to the CJB, which is responsible for determining whether charges should be approved.
The CJB review focused on whether the officer should be charged with speeding under the Motor Vehicle Act. It determined "the available evidence is not sufficient to prove to the necessary standard that the officer committed any more serious offences than speeding, or that his driving pattern caused the injuries experienced by the second driver."
Pursuing a prosecution, the report added, would not be in the public's interest given the evidence could only show the officer had been driving somewhat over the speed limit.
"The time, effort and expense of pursuing a prosecution outweigh what could reasonably be justified on the circumstances of this case for a relatively minor motor vehicle infraction, with its attendant penalty."
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