Almost five years ago, an incident occurred on Highway 1 in B.C.’s Fraser Valley where a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction collided with another car while being chased by the police. The tragic event resulted in the deaths of 35-year-old Gabriel Johnson Choi, 29-year-old Hasan Khaled Ayyad, and 43-year-old Allison Dawn Gilchrist.
The incident took place in the early hours of December 29, 2020, on Highway 1 between Chilliwack and Hope, approximately 120 kilometers east of Vancouver. The vehicle was speeding well above the limit in the eastbound lane when an RCMP officer noticed it and initiated a pursuit around 4 a.m. PT. The pursuit ended in a head-on collision a few minutes later, as reported by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. Two individuals lost their lives in the crash, while a third passed away in the hospital.
The B.C. Coroners Service identified Ayyad as the driver of the vehicle traveling in the wrong direction, with Gilchrist as his passenger. Their vehicle collided with Choi, who was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The investigating agency, the IIO, cleared the pursuing officer of any wrongdoing.
Nearly five years later, a coroner’s inquest jury is examining the circumstances surrounding the tragic event to make recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. Coroner’s juries do not assign blame, and their suggestions are not legally binding.
Family members took the stand during the inquest to share memories of their loved ones. Stormie Choi fondly recalled her brother Gabriel, describing him as a talented hip-hop artist and a beloved family member. Barbara Empson, Gilchrist’s mother, remembered her daughter’s friendliness and the impact she had on those around her.
During the proceedings, retired RCMP Staff Sgt. Philip Neetz, who was the watch commander at the time of the incident, testified regarding the police response. He mentioned the deployment of a spike belt to stop the speeding vehicle and his decision to order the pursuit to be terminated due to safety concerns.
The inquest is set to continue until December 19, focusing on gathering insights and recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.