An off-duty Coquitlam RCMP officer was involved in a serious collision on David Avenue Sunday evening that has left one person still in hospital.
According to police, just before 7:40 p.m. on April 5, a white Chevrolet Tahoe was heading east on David when a blue Hyundai Santa Fe was making a left turn from Riley Street to go west on David. Both drivers were taken to hospital and one has since been released.
Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung said one of the drivers was an off-duty RCMP member and any further information would have to come from the Independent Investigations Office (IIO).
The IIO investigates all incidents of death or serious harm where an on- or off-duty officer is involved.
The Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS) is investigating but it was "not appropriate to say at this time" whether speed or alcohol were factors in the collision.
"We will wait for a complete investigation before we talk about contributing factors," Chung said.
A woman who lives near the intersection said she heard the loud bang and she and her husband ran to the accident scene. The driver of the Santa Fe was slumped over in the passenger seat and had to be rescued by Coquitlam firefighters using the Jaws of Life.
Melodie Kinsey said drivers are constantly speeding on that stretch of David Avenue and running the stop signs.
"That strip is a drag race," she said. "My kids play out on that sidewalk and I've gone out several times, especially in the summer, yelling at people to slow down."
IIO spokesperson Kellie Kilpatrick said the investigation is solely into the actions of the off-duty officer and it's not known yet whether the IIO will sustain jurisdiction in the matter. She also said it was too early to say whether any charges could be forthcoming and the IIO would wait for a complete investigation before speaking about any contributing factors in the collision.
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