A marked police vehicle with its lights and sirens on was struck by another vehicle in the intersection of Voght Street and Nicola Avenue on Sept. 8.
At approximately 4:10 p.m., the police vehicle was heading south on Voght Street, responding to a weapons complaint. As police vehicle turned left on a red light at the intersection, it was struck on the driver’s side door by another vehicle headed west on Nicola Avenue.
The collision resulted in minor injuries to both drivers.
The police officer was taken to the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops and treated for non-life-threatening injuries such as whiplash and is expected to return to duty at the end of the week, said RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore.
The driver of the second vehicle was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries and released.
BC Ambulance Service and the Merritt Fire Rescue Department responded to the accident and Central Interior Traffic Services is continuing the investigation.
“When the police have their lights and sirens on, other drivers are obligated to act accordingly; however, police officers are still required to make sure the situation is safe,” said Dunsmore, not commenting specifically on this incident. “We have the authority to go through a red light and go through a stop sign, but having your lights or sirens on doesn’t always make it safe.”
Dunsmore said the investigation will likely involve mechanical inspections and talking to witnesses.
No charges have been as of press time.
