Off-duty officer in serious condition after Wednesday afternoon crash near Cranbrook

Police are seeking witnesses and video after an off-duty RCMP officer was left seriously injured in a collision with a pick-up truck near Cranbrook.

On August 5, at 12:52 p.m., police were called to a collision between a grey Chevrolet Silverado and a black Harley-Davidson on Highway 95A at Mission Wycliffe Road.

BCEHS told Rewind Radio News one ambulance with primary care paramedics, an ambulance with emergency medical responders, an advanced care paramedic response unit and a community paramedic response unit attended the scene.

The rider, a 39-year-old off-duty police officer with the Kimberley detachment, was taken to hospital in critical condition.

BC Highway Patrol says the truck driver, a 28-year-old woman, was uninjured.

A section of Highway 95A was closed for roughly five hours as a result.

BC Highway Patrol has been asked to take over to conduct a more independent investigation.

“We need as many independent witnesses as possible, along with any dash camera video that shows the events leading up to the collision,” said Sergeant Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “We have already spoken to independent witnesses who stopped to help, but we need to be complete and thorough.”

Early findings suggest there are no indications of overt criminality, such as impairment or speed.

Anyone who saw the collision between the grey Chevrolet Silverado and the black Harley-Davidson, or who has dashcam video of the events shortly before and after the collision, is asked to call BC Highway Patrol – Cranbrook at 250-420-4244 and quote file number (2100) 2026-2302.

Community members are also gathering support for the local RCMP officer’s family.

Friends and loved ones have identified Constable Mike Matteson as one of the people involved in the collision.

In a GoFundMe that evening, organizer Brandon Buliziuk said Matteson was airlifted to Kelowna General Hospital, where he will require “multiple surgeries” and a “challenging road to recovery”.

All funds will be going toward travel, stays, meals and any other expenses the officer’s wife, as well as their seven- and 12-year-old daughters, will need during Matteson’s time in hospital.

“Several Members from the East Kootenay region have already come together to start building some support,” wrote Buliziuk. 

“We ask that our RCMP brothers and sisters, friends of the Force, and anyone else, please join us in supporting the Matteson family. One thing we can control, is taking away the financial pressure.”

The GoFundMe has raised $17,215 of its $24,000 goal at the time of writing.