Sask. police watchdog investigating death of man hit by RCMP truck responding to unrelated hit and run

Saskatchewan's police watchdog agency isinvestigating after a man died after being hit by an officer driving an RCMP vehicle this week.

Around 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, Buffalo Narrows RCMP were called regarding adomestic disturbance at a home in Turnor Lake, about 500 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, theSaskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team said in a Friday news release.

Two officers, each in their own marked RCMP truck, responded to the call, SIRT's release said.

While still responding to thatcall, another call came injust before 3 a.m.about a man lyingon the road on Highway 155, south of Buffalo Narrows. Another person called just after 3 a.m.,saying the man on the highway had previously been struck by a vehicle, according to the police watchdog.

One of the officers left Turnor Lake and headedsouthbound on Highway 909, toward Buffalo Narrows. The second officer followed a short time after.

While travelling southon Highway 909 through what SIRT said were foggy conditions, the first RCMP vehicle hit a31-year-old manon the highway.

The officers provided first aid and called paramedics, who arrived and declared the man dead at the scene.

Policedetermined the 31-year-old manwas not the same person who had beenreported in the previous calls about a person lying on Highway 155.

In anemail to CBC, RCMP said that man was involved ina hit and run. He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Neither the driver involved in that collision nor their vehicle havebeen found, RCMP said.

SIRT says it was notified by the RCMP about the fatal collision involving the 31-year-oldjust after 6 a.m.on Thursday, and has launched an investigation.

A community liaison will also be appointed as per ThePolice Act, under which SIRT is required to appoint a First Nations or Mtis community liaison officer in matters that involve a personof First Nations or Mtis ancestry.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team is an independent, civilian-led unit mandated to investigateserious incidents involving police in Saskatchewan.

It said Friday afinal report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending, but no other information will be provided at this point.