One person is dead after a pickup truck struck a B.C. Transit bus and another vehicle in downtown Victoria early Saturday.
The fatal crash happened near the intersection of Douglas and Humboldt streets just after 1 a.m.
B.C.’s civilian-led police-watchdog agency is investigating, since Victoria police had tried to stop the Nissan Titan pickup before the crash, after receiving reports that the vehicle was being driven erratically.
The attempted stop occurred about 1 a.m. in the 900-block of Douglas Street, near Courtney Street, said the Independent Investigations Office, which looks into police-involved incidents resulting in death or serious injury.
The truck subsequently collided with the other vehicle and the bus.
No injuries were reported on the bus, which was not in service at the time and had no passengers, but the driver of the other vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving measures.
The pickup driver was arrested.
The IIO said it will clarify the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the incident, and whether police action or inaction was a factor.
Victoria police said in a statement that it had responded to a “developing situation” that ended up being fatal.
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and our thanks goes to our officers, who did their best to save a life,” police said.
