A victim of a dramatic crash in Vancouver’s West End two weeks ago has died, police say.
The Vancouver Police Department says the incident was first reported around 5:30 a.m. on May 15, when the driver of a Jeep was seen acting erratically near Comox and Broughton streets, allegedly crashing into fences and plants in the Nelson Park dog area.
“Several witnesses nearby had to scramble to get out of the way of the suspect’s vehicle,” a police statement described.
The VPD says the driver then struck a senior who was riding a motorized mobility scooter, and finally came to a stop after crashing into a responding police vehicle.
Const. Darren Wong says the final crash destroyed the police vehicle and flipped the suspect’s vehicle on its side.
“The suspect was trapped inside the vehicle and arrested near Comox and Bute streets,” said Wong.
“Multiple ambulances responded along with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, who were able to free the man from the wreckage.”
In an update Wednesday, the VPD confirmed that the senior citizen died on Sunday.
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Last week, police said a 34-year-old man, with a history of police interactions in B.C. and Saskatchewan, was facing four counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle.
After the victim’s death, the VPD says it “notified Crown counsel and [is] in the process of submitting evidence for consideration of additional charges.”
The two officers involved were reportedly released from hospital the same day.
On Thursday, the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) concluded that the driver’s injuries “do not meet the threshold of serious harm.” The IIO said it will not further investigate the officers involved.
Police say the suspect remains in custody.