Kelowna RCMP officer deemed not responsible for hitting cyclist

The investigation into a collision between an off-duty Kelowna RCMP officer and a cyclist has concluded.

The Independent Investigations Office of BC has deemed that the officer was not responsible for hitting the male cyclist, who suffered serious injuries.

“Rather, the evidence points to a careless act on the part of the (cyclist), perhaps contributed to by his use of heroin, in cycling out from a dark, shadowed area under the trees beside a six-lane highway, wearing dark clothing and without lights,” says the IIO report.

“(The cyclist) rode directly into the path of (the officer) who, on the evidence, was driving normally and reacted as quickly and appropriately as could be expected in the circumstances.”

The incident happened in the early morning hours of May 25, 2019, as the officer was driving his personal vehicle home after his shift.

He was driving eastbound on Hwy 97 when he was forced to suddenly swerve to avoid the cyclist who “came out of nowhere” around Cooper Road.

Unable to avoid a collision completely, the officer struck the cyclist travelling at around 60 km/h.

The officer and a witness who was travelling behind him on the highway tended to the injured man, who was wearing a black hoodie and had no reflective lights.

Paramedics eventually arrived at the scene and gave treatment to the man who admitted to having used heroin that night.

He suffered a broken leg and concussion.

For a more detailed account of the IIO investigation, click this link.