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B.C.’s independent investigator into police incidents resulting in death or injury has cleared Metro Vancouver Transit Police officers of wrongdoing in a fatal 2022 crash at the New Westminster-Burnaby border.
Late on the night of July 26, police tried to stop a Nissan Altima at 10th Avenue and 6th Street in New Westminster, but the driver fled.
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“A short time later, the vehicle was located on fire, after causing a multi-vehicle collision,” said Transit Police spokesperson Const. Amanda Steed in a statement at the time.
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The Nissan had slammed into a Toyota Yaris at a stoplight, critically injuring Olyad Suleiman and Yasbirat Ytatek. The young men, both aspiring student-athletes from Metro Vancouver immigrant families, later died of their injuries in Royal Columbian Hospital.
The driver and a passenger in the Altima were also injured and later placed under arrest. Charges of prohibited driving, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and flight from police were recommended.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. said a review of the incident found no fault with officers who tried to make the traffic stop.
“The chief civilian director has reviewed the evidence — including forensic scene analysis, video footage, medical records and police information — and determined that there are no reasonable grounds to believe any officer may have committed an offence,” said a statement by the IIO posted Thursday.
The civilian director, Ronald J. MacDonald, said a detailed public report on the investigation will not be posted until after the criminal investigation is resolved.
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