Sidney-North Saanich RCMP officers were not responsible for the injuries of a man involved in a fiery crash Friday, the province’s police watchdog has found.
Marten Youssef, spokesman for the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., said his office has given Sidney-North Saanich RCMP the go-ahead to continue investigating the case.
“We did release jurisdiction last night, as there does not appear to be any connection between the male’s injuries and any action by police,” Youssef said.
A vehicle was stolen from a gas station on West Saanich Road near Royal Oak Drive about 5:30 p.m., according to CHEK News.
The driver reportedly fled with the gas pump nozzle still in the vehicle, and was seen heading north on the Patricia Bay Highway. The vehicle was spotted near Mount Newton Cross Road and Lochside Drive.
The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed into a small structure on Lochside Drive and caught fire.
“The vehicle was on fire when we arrived,” said duty officer Tieg Clark of the North Saanich Fire Department.
Clark could not comment on the condition of the driver, but said B.C. Ambulance paramedics attended.
Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney-North Saanich RCMP all responded to the incident, and Sidney-North Saanich took charge of the file.
