A New Brunswick RCMP officer did not commit a criminal offence when he collided his truck with a firefighter on an ATV, SiRT has decided after a three-month investigation. The independent watchdog investigates deaths, injuries and serious matters involving police in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. SiRT received a notification of a collision in Harland, N.B., involving an RCMP vehicle on the evening of May 17. An officer driving a Chevrolet Silverado was responding to a 911 call with sirens and lights activated. A volunteer firefighter was responding to the same incident on an ATV travelling in the same direction when the vehicles collided near the intersection of Rockland Road and Clark Street. The posted speed limit in the area is 50 km/h, and the investigation shows the officer was travelling between 92 and 99 km/h when the ATV crossed in front of it. The ATV flipped on its side and the firefighter was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a broken wrist, head injury, lacerations and road rash. SiRT has found the officer’s speed was within reason and with emergency equipment activated, they did not commit a provincial or criminal offence. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
