The province’s police watchdog has determined VicPD officers were acting lawfully when they tried to stop the driver of a pickup truck who then hit a transit bus and a taxi, killing the 25-year-old taxi driver.
Rajinder Singh, known to family and friends as Ronnie, was killed in a crash involving a pickup truck that was fleeing police on Oct. 19, 2024.
Victoria police officers tried to stop the driver of a Nissan Titan pickup truck on Courtney Street between Gordon and Douglas streets about 1 a.m.
The truck did not stop and collided with a B.C. Transit bus and a taxi on Douglas near Courtney and Humboldt streets.
Singh was pronounced dead at the scene.
The bus was not in service and had no passengers at the time of the crash.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. reviewed video footage, witness statements and police records to determine whether any officer’s actions played a role in Singh’s death. The independent civilian oversight agency investigates all incidents involving officers that result in serious harm or death.
“The Titan drove away quickly, and the officers did not engage in a high-speed pursuit. Their actions are not responsible for the taxi driver’s tragic death,” the IIO said in a .
Singh was “a devoted son to his ailing parents” in India, who helped support his family, close friend Amit Jagopotra said after his death. He drove a taxi at night and juggled multiple day jobs.
The driver of the truck was arrested.
VicPD recently submitted a report to Crown counsel recommending charges against the driver. A VicPD spokesperson said the department doesn’t typically share what the recommended charges are, because they can often change based on what the prosecution service approves.
