Third person dies after Orange Shirt Day vehicle crash in Tsawwassen

A third person has died after a vehicle struck pedestrians at a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event in Tsawwassen, B.C. The Delta Police Department said Wednesday that 64-year-old Gwenyth Brigit Dwyn died in hospital from injuries sustained in the Sept. 30 crash. Tsawwassen First Nation elders wilapiya, also known as Barb Joe, and Virginia Splockton died at the scene. A fourth person has been released from hospital and is recovering at home, police said.

Community members had gathered ahead of the unveiling of four traditional carvings known as house posts outside Tsawwassen Mills mall. Police previously said they suspect the pickup truck driver was experiencing medical distress. In its Wednesday update, the department said whether the driver experienced a medical event before the collisions remains under investigation. Investigators have not found evidence so far that the crash was targeted or ideologically motivated. Police said the investigation is continuing and offered condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.

The investigation has included a substantial volume of evidence, interviews with numerous witnesses and multiple videos of the event, police said. Investigators have completed extensive scene and collision analysis and continue to examine all available evidence to determine what happened. That work includes reviewing the vehicle’s movements on the Tsawwassen Mills property before the pedestrians were struck, including an earlier collision. Police did not provide details about the earlier collision’s location or circumstances and said they have reached no final conclusions about the cause of the collisions.

Investigators are still working to establish what happened. Any potential charges arising from the incident will be sent to Crown prosecutors for assessment, police said. Staff Sgt. Mike Whiteley said the department understands the community has questions, but answers must be based on a complete and objective examination of the evidence. Investigators are working through a significant amount of information, he said, and should not reach conclusions before that work is complete.

Police renewed their appeal for witnesses. Anyone who has not already spoken with investigators can call 604-946-4411 and cite file number 26-18401.

With files from The Canadian Press.