UPDATE: Police watchdog now investigating Telkwa single vehicle rollover

Published 4:15 pm Tuesday, October 28, 2025

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is now investigating a motor vehicle incident that occurred on October 26 in Telkwa.

Information provided by the BC Conservation Officer Service states that shortly before 10 a.m., COS members observed a pickup truck matching the description of a vehicle that had been reported to the RCMP as being driven erratically.

The burgundy-coloured Dodge pickup truck was travelling westbound on Highway 16.

The COS officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Highway 16 near Walcott Rd. between Houston and Telkwa, but the man driving the pickup drove away after stopping.

A brief time later, COS officers located the pickup truck at the bottom of an embankment off Highway 16 in Telkwa, with the man who had been driving still inside.

The IIO said the attempted traffic stop prior to the injury incident is the impetus for its investigation.

The highway was temporarily shut down while emergency crews worked at the scene.

Smithers RCMP, ambulance and Telkwa Fire attended, with the fire crews assisting in safely removing the driver from the vehicle.

There were no passengers in the vehicle.

The driver sustained significant injuries and was transported to hospital.

The IIO said it was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred.

Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the initial traffic stop or saw the pickup immediately prior to it leaving the road, to contact the IIO.