ASIRT investigating police chase in which pedestrian was injured

The province’s police watchdog is investigating a city pursuit that netted an arrest but not before a 25-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured by a driver in the fleeing car.

Officers near 101 Street and 108 Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Monday spotted a Buick Rendezvous bearing a stolen licence plate, said police in a Friday release.

The driver stopped and got out of the car before the officers approached him in their marked cruiser with its emergency lights activated. When officers went to speak to him, the driver jumped back behind the wheel and fled, says the release.

With officers in pursuit, the driver of the Buick blew through a red light westbound on 107 Avenue at 101 Street before the car went off the road — striking a lamppost and knocking it off at the base — and struck the female pedestrian.

Patrol officers immediately moved in, making deliberate vehicle contact with the Buick at 103 Street to end the flight, but the driver continued to flee on foot. A man was quickly arrested. The woman hit by the Buick was treated on scene by paramedics before being transported to hospital with serious injuries, said police.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the circumstances around the conduct of police during the criminal flight response.

Tyler James Bjornstad, 31, is charged with flight from peace officer causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, fail to stop at an accident causing bodily harm, disqualified driving, possession of stolen property under $5,000, and two counts of breach of recognizance.