Watchdog investigating after person has medical emergency while in Vancouver police custody

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) has stepped in after the driver involved in a Vancouver car crash went into medical distress while in police custody.

According to the Vancouver Police Department, officers responded to the crash around Georgia Street near Broughton Street shortly after 11 p.m. Friday.

Police say the driver of a black Tesla had crashed into a parked vehicle. A passenger was reportedly taken to hospital, but the driver was taken into police custody and transported to jail.

“Upon arrival, the driver was found to be in medical distress, and aid was provided until Emergency Health Services arrived and took them to a hospital,” the IIO explained Monday.

The watchdog office says it is investigating to determine if the driver’s injuries meet the threshold of ‘serious harm,’ as defined by the Police Act, and if the serious harm is connected to police action or inaction.

‘If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred. At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred.”

Investigators are asking anyone with information or video footage of the incidents surrounding the crash to contact the IIO witness line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.