A motorcyclist died Sunday evening in a crash south of Porteau Cove after failing to stop for police, according to an Independent Investigations Office of BC press release.
According to preliminary details from the RCMP, a Highway Patrol officer attempted to pull over two motorcycles travelling together southbound on Highway 99 around 5:30 p.m. on July 5. The motorcycles did not stop, and a short time later, one of them collided with another vehicle near the Deeks Creek Bridge. Officers arrived and provided aid, but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident caused a shutdown in both directions on the Sea-to-Sky Highway leaving many stranded overnight. The incident was cleared around 2 a.m. according to Drive BC, but it took several more hours for traffic to clear.
The IIO, a civilian agency that investigates deaths and serious injuries connected to police action in BC, was notified soon after and has opened an investigation into the case.
The IIO is asking anyone with information about the crash, including video footage, to contact its Witness Line toll free at 1-855-446-8477 or through the contact form on iiobc.ca.
I completely agree. This is the second time in six months that I’ve experienced a full closure of Highway 99. Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be able to turn around and take another route, but thousands of others had no choice but to stay trapped for more than 12 hours.
I have the utmost respect for the first responders and emergency crews who had to deal with such a tragic accident. However, leaving so many people stranded for that long, with little or no communication, is simply not acceptable. There were elderly people, young children, people who needed medication, and others who may have missed flights or other important commitments.
Surely there has to be a better emergency plan for situations like this. Better communication, earlier warnings, and alternative traffic management should be priorities. We can respect the victims while also expecting a safer and more effective response for everyone else.
The RCMP needs a greater presence in many areas of Hwy 99. One car out of ten pays attention to the speed limit particularly Horseshoe Bay Area. Like many people I travel Squamish to West Van a number of times per week, I rarely see the RCMP in marked or unmarked cars. They also need a far better way to create lanes for people while they investigate accidents, waiting for hours is rediculous.
This is a ton of BS.
First,
The RCMP didn’t have to chase the culprit,because the RCMP,THANKS TO OUR HARD EARNED TAX $$$$, has access to choppers.
Second other members of the RCMP should have been contacted ahead.
Third,
Why would you chase a rocket bike. On te Sea to Sky Hwy at rush hour on a beautiful afternoon.
The chase was irresponsible..these bikers were 2 inexperienced morons,they weren’t killers or armed robbers,just 2 morons.
Let them ride ,follow them from above and set up a check point.
But noooooo sone young gun..badge holder snotnose macho cop, had to pull a dirty Harry move that,in my opinion, could’ve caused a much worse outcome.
Shame on you RCMP, your actions caused grief to thousands of motorists..many of them lost their flights..many of them probably lost some important meetings, anyway.manymof us do kot give a dam anout the victim..she asked for it!!,I hope that someone sues the RCMP for negligence .
I don’t feel soiry for the female rider. She lost her life, she.played the game and she lost.
We are in need of donorcycles. Yes desperate need!!
The “female rider” who was killed was not an “inexperienced moron” playing a game.
She was my cousin, a seasoned rider, and embarking on a new career. She did not “deserve” to die. No one asked for this.
I am sorry for your loss ,still she asked for the tragic end .
No excuses not buts no if.
She should have stopped at the police check point,is as simple as that.
Her avoidance was irresponsible she could’ve slammed against a car and kill or injure other drivers.
She died and stupid avoidable death !
I agree with the post above. We were trapped for about 8 hours up high on the ridge and were not able to turn around so returning to Squamish was not an option for us. Over the course of the night, I was shocked that there was no presence of emergency personnel to ask if any of the hundreds/thousands of people similarly stuck needed help or offered basics sych as water, snacks, diapers or blankets.
Fortunately, the weather was lovely and we had sufficient supplies of water but I really felt that the ’emergency response’ was non-existent, which was disappointing.
Learn from the rest of the world and clear the road in an hour or two, or at least a lane. Also, have an investigator with a residence in Squamish not from Surrey.
Probably the most common sense post on here! I’m surprised they don’t have an investigator in Squamish considering they’re probably needed a couple of times a month at least. You’d also think that today’s technology I.E drones could map and record the scene & used to investigate later. At least you’d have the road opened within a couple of hours.
Yes,great comment and very accurate.
And if I may,the RCMP should not and I repeat,should not investigate themselves, assign an outside investigation team and repronemend those in charge of ordering the chase.
The Police should’ve used choppers from above and set up road blocks but nooo sonevyoung gun probably wanted to sho who’s the boss.
I grew up in Europe back in the 60’s ..9 hours wait for road clearance is absurd. We are not leaving in a 3rd World country..this is a disgrace, shame on you Min.of highways shame on you RCMP.
Radio faster than police cruiser. Communicate with west van police. Road block. Or tag licence plate. Send cruiser to motorbike speeders house. Give the rider a ticket. Not a body bag.
Someone life was lost. Pls remember that. For “inconveniencing” people show some respect for the victim and victims family.
How would 8 hrs closure save their life? The person was dead on the spot. Sorry to hear that! And also sorry for people that waited so long on an highway and missed their plans. Brutal and unacceptable
Some irresponsible moron ‘s life you mean,right?
Your disgusting. I wonder if it was your kid if you would be talking like that. Your the one who sounds like a moron, and to speak that way to her cousin. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Frankly, I standby the RCMP’s action. Until someone can show me that this so called “chase” is the reason they died, I am glad our law enforcement actually did something in attempt to stop dangerous drivers. The fact that sirens are behind you and asking you to pull over and your decision is to speed away, the consequence is yours to bare. Don’t blame the RCMP for doing their job.
What I do want to see is alternative transportation for the S2S. Water ferry? Water taxi? This could have gone realllly bad should another emergency happen the same time as 1000s of people clog the main access in the Sea to Sky.
I agree with everything already said. Yes the RCMP should not have chased, yes the motorcyclist should not have run, yes it was a huge inconvenience to everyone, yes officials should have made sure that motorists left stranded were OK, yes, yes, yes to the above and hopefully these mistakes are noted. But also yes to anyone driving that road should always always be prepared for an emergency situation such as this, take some personal responsibility, we all know it happens often enough. Yes motorists should take extra snacks, extra water, extra blankets, extra diapers if travelling with kids and a small stash of emergency meds just in case. At the end of the day nobody deserved to die, nobody got up that morning thinking ” I’m going to cause an accident today ” a little compassion goes a long way.
The person who lost their life was a) speeding then b) chose not to stop for police then c) tried to outrun police and d) crashed and lost her life. Fortunately she did not kill anyone else. Do I Feel bad for the family ? Sure but ultimately her death is on her.
Once again, our amazing community members pulled together to offer refuge to those stranded on this side of the accident.
Many questions were raised last time the highway closed with the Lions Bay Mudslide, as to why the DOS didn’t step up to offer Refuge for those stranded individuals and families had to sleep in their cars, because there was no vacancy anywhere for booking.
Be it in the form of Brennan Park Gym, school gyms….
Why Mayor and Council or Linda Glenday , has there not been such offerings implemented after the last closure? There needs to be an emergency plan be set up for this all to often sad occurrence!!!
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Gagandeep Ghuman
Editor, Squamish Reporter