Police watchdog investigating after driver allegedly shot and killed by Creston RCMP officer

The B.C. police watchdog is investigating after an officer allegedly shot a man during a traffic stop in the Kootenays.

According to an Independent Investigations Office of B.C. media release, the incident took place when a Creston RCMP officer approached a pickup truck that was parked in a driveway in the at 3400-block of View Road, Creston, at around 3:35 a.m., Dec. 14.

"As the officer exited his police vehicle, the truck reportedly reversed striking the officer who fired his weapon in return," the Independent Investigations Office said in the release.

The truck drove off but roughly 10 minutes later the truck was found in a ditch with the driver suffering from a gunshot wound.

Police officers provided medical attention but the male driver died at the scene.

The police watchdog describes the driver as a youth.

The watchdog is now investigating.

The IIO is asking any person with relevant information or video footage regarding the incident to please contact the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is an independent civilian oversight agency of the police and investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.

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