National

Vancouver cop charged after pedestrian struck in city's Downtown Eastside last year

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Sep, 2023 05:15 PM

Prosecutors in British Columbia have approved multiple charges against a Vancouver police officer a year after a pedestrian was hit by a police car in the city's Downtown Eastside.

Const. Jack Zhao has been charged with driving without due care and attention, failing to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, and speeding.

The province's prosecution service says the charges were approved by an experienced Crown counsel who has no connection with the officer.

Alleged video of the incident on Sept. 20, 2022, that was shared by the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, shows a person standing motionless in the middle of East Hastings Street.

A black police cruiser appears to hit the man without swerving and he is thrown about 10 metres as the car skids to a halt.

At the time the provincial Independent Investigations Office said the man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Zhao's first appearance is scheduled for Sept. 28 in Vancouver provincial court.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP

A statement posted to social media by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the family of four turned and ran when the bear charged them Monday evening. The service says the bear chased them and attacked one woman, while another woman and a teenage boy were injured trying to help her.

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide

The homicide team says in a statement that Kia Ebrahimian pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday. Police were called to a Langley house fire on June 13, 2020, and found the bodies of the man's mother Tatiana Bazyar, his brother Befrin Ebrahimian and Francesco Zangrilli.

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

The federal government plans to send cheques of up to $650 to qualifying low- and medium-income households to help pay for children's dental needs through the same platform used for Canada Child Benefit payments. That is run through the Canada Revenue Agency, which the experts suggest could be a problem because many low-income families are less likely to file tax returns.

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Murray Rankin says fighting crime by arresting more people is "futile," and the government is instead considering a range of options to keep people safe. Opposition Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon told the legislature that the government has continued a "catch-and-release" policy where repeat offenders are quickly freed from custody despite being accused of violent crimes.

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park

A Twitter account for the district's emergency services division had posted on Saturday afternoon saying the fire was "under control and not spreading," but on Sunday the BC Wildfire Service's website lists the blaze as out-of-control. Videos posted online by the district show a helicopter dumping water on the fire.

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park

B.C. to bring in new rules for mortgage brokers

Finance Minister Selina Robinson introduced the bill in the legislature on Tuesday, saying B.C. residents deserve better consumer protection and more transparency in the mortgage broking industry. One pending change is increasing fines to a maximum of $500,000 for those caught breaking the rules, while those with more than one conviction could face fines of up to $2.5 million.