Urgent Update: Police Pursuit Linked to Surrey Collision Injures Scooter Rider

URGENT UPDATE: A serious three-vehicle collision in Surrey has left a scooter rider critically injured, with authorities investigating a potential police pursuit as a factor. The incident occurred at approximately 5:25 a.m. on January 21, 2023, near the intersection of 88 Avenue and Holt Road.

Witnesses report that a marked police vehicle had been following a stolen black Ford F350 before the collision took place several blocks away at 128 Street. While some social media chatter suggests the scooter rider has unfortunately died, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) has not confirmed this, citing an ongoing investigation by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO).

The IIO has confirmed that the scooter rider sustained serious injuries but refrained from providing further details regarding their condition. “What happened between the initial observation by the marked police vehicle of the black Ford and the subsequent collision is part of the ongoing IIO investigation,” an IIO spokesperson stated.

Authorities have not disclosed whether the police vehicle engaged in a pursuit of the allegedly stolen truck. The SPS has emphasized that their policy aligns with the BC Emergency Vehicle Driving Regulations, which stipulate that the seriousness of an offense must outweigh public safety risks when considering a pursuit.

The driver of the F350 fled the scene on foot following the collision with a dark-colored Honda Accord and the motorized scooter. As this investigation unfolds, the IIO is also examining two other fatal pedestrian incidents involving SPS officers from December 2022, raising community concerns about police protocols during pursuits.

Citizens are urged to stay tuned for updates as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this alarming incident. The impact on the local community is profound, with many residents expressing their distress over the injuries sustained by the scooter rider.

As the situation develops, officials are expected to provide more information regarding the investigation’s findings and the condition of the injured rider.