Inquest into B.C. Highway 1 Wrong-Way Fatality Begins

Post by : Mina Rahman

Almost five years after a tragic wrong-way collision on Highway 1 in British Columbia's Fraser Valley, a coroner's inquest has commenced to investigate the events leading to the deaths of Gabriel Johnson Choi, 35, Hasan Khaled Ayyad, 29, and Allison Dawn Gilchrist, 43.

In the early morning of December 29, 2020, an RCMP officer spotted a vehicle traveling eastbound against oncoming traffic between Chilliwack and Hope—around 120 kilometers east of Vancouver—just after 4 a.m. The vehicle was exceeding the speed limit, resulting in a police chase.

Minutes later, that vehicle collided head-on with another car. Two individuals died at the scene, while a third later succumbed to injuries in a hospital. According to the B.C. Coroners Service, Ayyad was driving the wrong-way car, with Gilchrist as a passenger, while Choi was driving the other vehicle involved.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. absolved the pursuing officer of any misconduct in 2022, stating that proper procedures were observed during the chase.

This coroner's inquest seeks to clarify the sequence of events and make recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. Though coroner's juries do not assign legal culpability, their conclusions can significantly shape safety and policing protocols.

Family members expressed poignant memories during the inquest. Stormie Choi, sister of Gabriel, characterized him as a talented hip-hop performer and a federal corrections officer. "He was one of the most hilarious people I've ever known," she remarked via video call, emphasizing the deep void his absence has created in their family.

Barbara Empson, mother of Gilchrist, remembered her daughter's kindness and "infectious smile," while also revealing the mental health challenges that complicated her daughter's relationships with loved ones.

Retired RCMP Staff Sgt. Philip Neetz, the watch commander on the day of the incident, testified that a spike belt was deployed in an attempt to halt the speeding vehicle, but Ayyad evaded it. Neetz indicated he had ordered the chase to cease due to safety concerns near urban areas; however, the transmission of that order was lost in the noise of radio communication.

"I don’t understand why that order was unclear,” Neetz noted, pointing out that high-pressure situations and busy airwaves can complicate communication among officers.

The inquest will proceed as jurors evaluate the devastating crash, police response, and strategies to mitigate the risks associated with high-speed pursuits.