Alberta serious incident team probes RCMP cruiser-pedestrian fatality

Ryan Cormier (Edmonton Journal) – The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash involving a marked RCMP vehicle on the Big Stone Cree Nation.

Just before 11 p.m. Thursday, the officer, part of Slave Lake traffic services, was headed south on a paved, secondary road to investigate an assault complaint when a man walked “directly in front of him,” RCMP Sgt. Tim Taniguchi, said.

Though the officer swerved into the northbound lane, narrowly missing traffic, the RCMP cruiser struck the man, sending him into a ditch.

The 53-year-old man died at Wabasca Hospital.

The ASIRT investigation will look at whether the officer had lights and sirens activated at the time of the accident, Taniguchi said.

The officer will remain on duty during the investigation.

“Right now, he’s been given a couple days off. Obviously, it’s very traumatic for him, as it would be for anybody,” Taniguchi said.

An employee of the Big Stone Store, which is near the intersection, said the area is isolated, but well-lit.

The victim’s granddaughter identified him as Roy Beauregard, who lived in different areas of the reserve.

“Likely, my grandfather was just out walking around,” Lenita Beaver said.

“I don’t know how this could have happened, its bright enough to see him.”

The name of the deceased and the officer, have not been released.

The RCMP officer has 12 years of service in the Mounties.

ASIRT investigates significant incidents involving police officers, including shootings and accidents.

Big Stone Cree Nation is about 350 kilometres north of Edmonton.