Keith Fraser (Vancouver Province) – The wife and parents of a man killed when an RCMP cruiser struck his vehicle are suing for damages, claiming the police officer behind the wheel negligently drove through a red light.
Albert Haczewski, 27, and Koyo Hara, 26, died after the cruiser went through the intersection of Kingsway and Royal Oak in Burnaby and collided with a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier being driven by Haczewski.
In a statement of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court, Paula Haczewski, Albert’s wife, claims that Const. Petina Kostiuk was engaging in a “high-speed response” at a time when she and her supervisors knew of the potential dangers to others.
In addition, the officer was involved in a high-speed action when “there was no real warrant for it” and had failed to get the proper authorization to do so.
For the actions of the officer the provincial government is “vicariously liable,” says the lawsuit, and the government itself is negligent for failing to ensure the cruiser was mechanically sound and for failing to advise the officer of any mechanical defects.
Paula Haczewski and the parents, Jacek and Barbara Haczewski, have suffered from the loss of love, guidance and affection, the loss of companionship and inheritance and the loss of past and future financial support, the suit says.
They are seeking special and general damages.
The RCMP said at the time that the officer was driving with lights and sirens operating.
An RCMP spokesman said yesterday that the civil litigation section of the force is expected to file a statement of defence and had no further comment.
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