Motorcycle 'erratic' before fatal crash: RCMP
A motorcyclist is tended to following Sunday's fatal accident at St. Paul Street and First Avenue in downtown Kamloops. The motorcycle collided with a pedestrian, who died from injuries sustained in the crash. The rider of the bike was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
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Updated: July 07, 2009 6:49 AM
Police have turned their investigation to claims of dangerous and "erratic" driving after a 56-year-old was killed on a downtown Kamloops street Sunday.
The driver of a motorcycle involved in the collision that killed a pedestrian in a crosswalk has not been charged, but police are investigating reports of dangerous driving in the moments leading up to the wreck.
"There was information received before the accident that he was operating his motorcycle in an erratic manner," Kamloops RCMP Sgt. Scott Wilson said.
Investigators believe the 31-year-old motorcycle driver was heading south on First Avenue toward Columbia Street at 11:30 a.m. Sunday when the pedestrian was struck in a crosswalk at St. Paul Street.
Wilson said it appears the pedestrian, a 56-year-old Kamloops man, was in the middle of the crosswalk when he was struck.
"It wasn't a case of him just stepping off the curb," he said.
"He may have been well into the crosswalk."
The victim was pronounced dead a short time later.
The driver of the motorcycle was also injured and, as of Monday, he remained in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Mounties have been unable to confirm witness reports that claimed the motorcycle – described by Wilson as a "speed street bike " – performing a "wheelie" at the intersection of First Avenue and Seymour Street, a block from where the collision took place.
Wilson said the driver has not been charged.
"We're not proposing any charges at this stage," he said.
"We're strictly in an investigative stage."
Anyone who saw the accident is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.
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