Saskatchewan RCMP officers cleared after man evades police, dies in sewage lagoon

Regina – Saskatchewan’s police watchdog has stated there was no wrongdoing by officers following a man’s evasion of police, ultimately resulting in his death in a sewage lagoon due to cocaine toxicity.

On a highway outside Saskatoon, officers attempted to stop the 18-year-old suspect, whose truck tail lights were reportedly off. The youth attempted to flee and police pursued him, but no chase or use of sirens was conducted by the authorities. The truck subsequently entered a field, becoming out of sight from the police, who then retreated.

Later, the man’s truck was discovered submerged in a sewage lagoon, and his body was also observed floating in the pond. The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SSIRT) conducted an investigation into the death that transpired two years ago and concluded that no grounds existed to suspect an officer had committed an offence.

The SSIRT’s report indicates that officers swiftly withdrew following their initial attempt to stop the man, and never initiated a pursuit.