Police watchdog investigating pedestrian collision involving vehicle pursued by EPS

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating an incident involving members of the Edmonton Police Service at the end of July that sent a pedestrian to hospital.

The situation started at around 12:30 a.m. on July 30. Edmonton police said they noticed a Buick Rendezvous in the area of 101 Street and 108 Avenue with a stolen licence plate. A male driver and female passenger were inside.

Police said officers in a marked car approached the driver as he got out of the vehicle, but when police tried to talk to him, he jumped back in the Buick and drove off.

ASIRT said the police followed the vehicle for several blocks before the SUV veered onto the sidewalk and appeared to hit a female pedestrian on purpose. Several officers stopped to help the victim, while other cars continued pursuing the suspect.

The woman was taken to hospital with multiple, serious injuries. As of Tuesday, she was still in hospital in stable condition, ASIRT said.

Officers were able to stop the vehicle at 103 Street, but the driver jumped out and fled on foot. ASIRT said the officers used a conducted energy weapon after the man ignored several verbal commands to stop. The man was taken into custody.

The female passenger was able to get away, but ASIRT said EPS members arrested her the next day on outstanding warrants.

After the arrest, the EPS alerted the director of law enforcement, but the decision was made to leave the investigation with police.

During the investigation, police learned the male suspect, in custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre, was alleging his nose had been broken during the arrest. EPS alerted the director of law enforcement of the new information and ASIRT was directed to investigate on Aug. 1.

Tyler James Bjornstad is charged with flight from a peace officer causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, failing to stop at an accident causing bodily harm, disqualified driving, possession of stolen property under $5,000 and two counts of breach of recognizance.

– With files from Caley Ramsay, Global News