Almost half a decade ago, a vehicle speeding in the opposite direction on Highway 1 in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia collided with another car while being chased by law enforcement. Presently, the B.C. Coroners Service is conducting an inquiry into the events leading to the deaths of Gabriel Johnson Choi, Hasan Khaled Ayyad, and Allison Dawn Gilchrist.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 29, 2020, a car was observed traveling in the wrong direction on Highway 1, well above the speed limit, between Chilliwack and Hope, approximately 120 kilometers east of Vancouver. Shortly after 4 a.m. PT, an RCMP officer noticed the vehicle and initiated pursuit. Within a few minutes, a head-on crash occurred between the pursued vehicle and another car, as detailed in a 2022 report from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.
According to the report, two individuals perished in the collision, while a third individual succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The coroners service confirmed that Ayyad was driving the vehicle in the wrong direction with Gilchrist as a passenger, leading to the fatal crash with Choi, who later passed away in the hospital.
Following investigations, the IIO exonerated the officer involved in the pursuit from any misconduct. Almost five years later, a coroner’s inquest jury has convened to examine the case circumstances and provide recommendations to prevent similar tragedies. Notably, coroner’s juries do not assign blame, and their suggestions are not legally binding.
Family members shared heartfelt reflections at the inquest, with Stormie Choi reminiscing about her brother Gabriel, highlighting his vibrant personality and talents. Barbara Empson, mother of Gilchrist, remembered her daughter’s friendly demeanor and the challenges she faced due to mental health issues. Retired RCMP Staff Sgt. Philip Neetz testified about the police response during the incident, discussing risk assessments and emergency vehicle regulations.
The inquest is scheduled to continue until Dec. 19, with ongoing testimonies and examination of the events leading to the triple-fatal crash on Highway 1 in British Columbia.
[Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-coroner-s-inquest-begins-on-wrong-way-highway-1-triple-fatal-crash-9.7008018)