The Independent Investigations Office has forwarded its findings from a police-involved collision to the B.C. Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.
The development stems from a Aug. 19, 2021, collision on Highway 97 near Industrial Way in Bear Lake between an unmarked SUV driven by a Prince George RCMP officer and a Kia Rio.
The car's driver was transported to the hospital with what were initially believed to be minor injuries. But on April 29, 2022, the IIO was notified that the injuries were serious enough to spark an investigation.
The civilian-based police watchdog said Thursday that "reasonable grounds exist" to believe the officer may have committed a driving offence.
"In order to approve any charges, the BC Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest," the IIO said in a statement.
"While the matter is with Crown, the IIO will not be making any additional comment about the facts of this case."
