EPS officer not to blame for 2020 fatal collision on Walterdale Bridge: ASIRT

Alberta’s police watchdog has determined an Edmonton police officer will not face charges in relation to a 2020 pursuit and subsequent crash on Walterdale Bridge that claimed the life of a 33-year-old man.

The July 14, 2020, collision took place shortly after the officer attempted to pull over the driver of a Honda Accord because the license plate did not match the vehicle.

ORIGINAL STORY: Fatal overnight collision that on Walterdale Bridge under investigation

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) says the Accord fled as soon as the EPS cruiser activated its emergency lights and siren.

GPS data reviewed by ASIRT showed the pursuit lasted roughly 45 seconds. The police cruiser hit a top speed of 119 km/h before terminating the chase, citing “lots of traffic.”

The officer “appears to have stopped or slowed down considerably” approximately 600 metres away from the Walterdale Bridge.

ASIRT determined the driver of the Accord “continued on to River Valley Road westbound. He then turned south onto the Walterdale Bridge. Traffic on the Walterdale Bridge is northbound only so… he was driving into oncoming traffic.”

The watchdog says the Accord collided “with a Ford Ranger head on, causing both to spin on the bridge. A fire started in the Accord shortly after the collision.”

The driver of the Accord was pronounced dead on the scene. An autopsy determined he was impaired – methamphetamine and alcohol were detected.

The passenger of the Accord and the driver of the Ford Ranger sustained injuries. In its report, ASIRT noted it was “fortunate” their injuries were not more severe.

“It is my opinion that the investigation does not provide reasonable grounds to believe that the SO (subject officer) committed any Criminal Code offence,” ASIRT concluded. “While the death of the AP (affected person) was both tragic and criminal, that criminality relates to the conduct of the AP. The moral and legal responsibility for this death and injury rests with him, and not the SO.

“Before the collision happened, the SO had terminated the pursuit… The AP then continued to drive very fast, and then drove the wrong way on a busy bridge. The AP’s extremely dangerous driving was the cause of the collision. He was risking the lives of pedestrians and other drivers with his actions.”

The full report is available here.