The IIO is investigating after two people were injured in a crash in Victoria

British Columbia’s police watchdog is investigating after two people were injured in a car crash after police attempted to conduct a traffic stop in Victoria.

BC’s Independent Bureau of Investigation says it was contacted by the Victoria Police Department shortly after the crash, which happened around 3 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of Bay Street and Esquimalt Road.

According to an IIO statement, the department told the police watchdog agency that officers tried to stop a black sedan driving on the wrong side of the road.

Victoria Police said in a social media post that officers activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

“The vehicle did not stop,” the police statement read. “Officers were in the process of disabling the vehicle’s emergency devices when the suspect vehicle crashed around the corner.”

Witnesses, video footage was sought

Victoria Police said the driver and passenger suffered “minor injuries” in the crash.

The police watchdog says its first task in the investigation will be to determine whether the injuries constitute “serious harm” under the British Columbia Police Act.

According to the regulations, serious damage is understood as an injury that may result in death, serious disfigurement, loss or limitation of mobility of the entire body or the function of any limb or organ.

The police watchdog agency is now asking witnesses or anyone with video evidence of the incident to call the IIO Witness Line at 1-855-446-8477 or contact the agency via iiobc.ca website.

“If serious harm is found, further investigation will examine whether the officer’s actions during the arrest were necessary, reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances,” the IIO said.

The agency investigates all police-related incidents that result in serious injury or death in B.C., regardless of whether there are any allegations of police misconduct.