A suspect was hospitalized after being hit by a car while attempting to evade police in Victoria on Friday afternoon.
VicPD confirmed they were responding to reports of a theft in progress around 3:40 p.m. in the 600-block of Gorge Road East.
Upon arriving, officers spotted the suspect and tried to make an arrest, but the individual fled on foot, according to a statement from the department on Saturday.
As the suspect ran through traffic, they were struck by a vehicle. Police said the suspect suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for further assessment.
Victoria Buzz had received several messages that afternoon from concerned Victorians wondering why an ambulance was being followed by a police cruiser, which turned out to be related to this incident.
VicPD officers are responding to an incident in the 600-block of Gorge Rd. Gorge is closed in both directions between Jutland and Government/Douglas, and will remain closed until at least 8 pm. Please plan your route accordingly and avoid the area. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) October 12, 2024
The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO), which examines incidents involving police where injury or death occurs, has been notified and is investigating the incident.
Following the incident, a portion of Gorge Road East between Jutland Road and Douglas Street was closed for hours while police and IIO investigators worked the scene
No further details have been released as the investigation is ongoing.
