Watchdog recommends charges against AbbyPD officer after crash

British Columbia’s police watchdog agency has recommended charges against an officer nearly one year after three people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Abbotsford.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC says the crash happened near the intersection of King Road and Gladwin Road on the afternoon of Feb. 20, 2025.

While “engaged in an unrelated investigation,” an officer driving an Abbotsford Police Department vehicle reportedly collided with the driver of a GMC Envoy SUV. Another officer was riding as a passenger in the police vehicle.

“The driver and sole occupant of the Envoy sustained injuries in the collision and was airlifted to a hospital for treatment,” the IIO said in a news release at the time.

“Both officers in the police vehicle were also taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.”

The IIO was called in to investigate, as it is after any police-related incidents that result in death or serious injury, whether or not there are any allegations of wrongdoing.

In an update Friday, the agency said, “Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that an officer may have committed driving-related offences.”

A report recommending undisclosed charges has been submitted to the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) for consideration, the IIO says.

“To approve any charges, the BCPS must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest.”

—With files from Emma Crawford