Motorcyclist’s head-on crash on B.C.’s Highway 97 prompts police watchdog probe

A man riding a motorcycle at high speeds, without a helmet or licence plate, crashed head-on into a pickup truck in the North Okanagan on Sunday morning, police said.

B.C.’s police watchdog is now looking into the actions of Enderby RCMP to see how they may have factored into the collision, if at all.

The crash occurred on Highway 97 at Springbend Road near Grindrod, north of Vernon, just after 11:30 a.m.

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The rider suffered serious and potentially life-threatening injuries, according to RCMP.

2:15 Family, B.C. IIO confirm death of Okanagan man

Police in Lake Country, south of Vernon, spotted the motorcyclist earlier in the morning, but did not pursue him, police said.

Enderby RCMP tried, but failed, to stop the motorbike, said Mounties, and the crash occurred a short time later.

The Independent Investigations Office is looking into whether the man’s injuries were suffered because of police action or inaction.