B.C. police watchdog investigating Victoria officer’s role in fatal crash

B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating the actions of an off-duty Victoria Police officer who was involved in a crash on the TransCanada Highway early Sunday that left a motorcyclist dead.

A northbound black Corvette collided with a northbound green Kawasaki motorcycle near Cobble Hill Road about 2:15 a.m., according to B.C. RCMP spokeswoman Staff Sgt. Annie Linteau. A third northbound vehicle, driven by an off-duty officer, was also involved in the crash, said Ron MacDonald, chief civilian director of the Independent Investigations Office, which investigates all police-involved serious injuries or deaths.

Shawnigan Lake RCMP, Shawnigan Lake Fire and B.C. Ambulance responded. The motorcycle rider, a man from Quebec, died of his injuries while the Corvette driver was taken to hospital and released with minor injuries, Linteau said.

The crash caused a large debris field, and South Vancouver Island Traffic services is looking for a vehicle that drove through the debris. Investigators believe that driver could have information crucial to the investigation, Linteau said. No description of the vehicle was provided.

MacDonald confirmed the offduty officer was not driving the vehicle that passed through the debris.

“The IIO investigation is focused on the actions of the offduty police officer,” the office said in a statement. “The RCMP is conducting a concurrent investigation into alleged motor vehicle offences by the civilians involved in this incident.”

Any potential witnesses are asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.

Anyone who might have driven through the debris or has direct knowledge of the vehicle that drove through the debris is asked to call South Vancouver Island Traffic services at 250-416-0352.