Man killed in Kamloops hit and run was in police custody hours before death
KAMLOOPS – A 48-year-old man that was killed in a hit and run collision more than a week ago was in police custody prior to being struck and killed by a vehicle in downtown Kamloops.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. released details of their investigation after a man died hours after being released from Kamloops RCMP custody.
“I do not consider that an officer may have committed an offence under any enactment and therefore the matter will not be referred to Crown Counsel for consideration of charges,” chief civilian director, Ronald J. MacDonald says in the report.
Police have not released the victim’s identity, but Kamloops Cpl. Jodi Shelkie confirms the person outlined in the report is the same individual killed in a hit and run collision that took place on Oct. 20 at approximately 1:30 a.m.
The report says the —now deceased— man was arrested by police for an alcohol-related offence on Oct. 19 at 11:24 a.m. and was released from police custody at 8:08 p.m. the same day.
Police then received a report about a motor vehicle incident on Seymour Street at 1:37 a.m. and when officers attended they noted that the victim was the same man that was earlier released from police custody.
The man was taken to the hospital but did not survive his injuries, the report says.
Because police had interaction prior to the man’s death, the Independent Investigations Office was alerted by the RCMP to investigate.
The investigation looked at CCTV footage and review of relevant police reports to determine if the man was fit for release and whether the actions or inactions of police contributed to his death.
“His behaviour and actions captured by the CCTV show a person who appears coordinated and sober,” the report says. “The recording also shows (him) talking to officers and walking away from the detachment in a coordinated manner…(he) was dressed appropriately for weather conditions.”
The man was released nine hours after he was arrested which was “ample time for the effects of intoxications to dissipate” the report says.
The collision occurred almost five and a half hours after he was released.
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