This release was issued under a previous government.
On March 8, 2012, a plainclothes EPS officer was working with a team of investigators who conducted surveillance on offenders, and was actively involved in monitoring an assigned individual. During the course of his duties, the officer was travelling in an unmarked EPS vehicle, northbound on 75 Street and approached the intersection at 76 Avenue. At the time of the officer’s approach to the intersection, a woman driving a vehicle southbound on 75 Street attempted to make a left-hand turn onto 76 Avenue – into the path of the officer’s oncoming vehicle.
The two vehicles became involved in a serious collision. Tragically, the 84-year old woman who was driving the other vehicle died as a result of the injuries she sustained in the collision. The officer’s injuries were serious, but non-life threatening.
ASIRT was immediately assigned to conduct an independent and objective investigation into the actions of the EPS officer involved in this fatal collision. Once the extensive investigation was complete, the file was provided to crown counsel for review. Upon receipt of that review, ASIRT Executive Director Clifton Purvis made the decision to have ASIRT investigators charge EPS Const. Chris Luimes with one count of dangerous driving causing death (section 249(4) of the Criminal Code). Const. Luimes will make his first court appearance on October 10, 2013.
As this matter is now before the courts, no further comment will be provided after the Executive Director’s media availability.