Almost half a decade ago, a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on Highway 1 in B.C.’s Fraser Valley collided with another vehicle while being chased by law enforcement. A B.C. Coroners Service inquest is currently examining the events that led to the tragic deaths of 35-year-old Gabriel Johnson Choi, 29-year-old Hasan Khaled Ayyad, and 43-year-old Allison Dawn Gilchrist.
During the early hours of December 29, 2020, a car was observed speeding in the eastbound lane of Highway 1 between Chilliwack and Hope, located approximately 120 kilometers east of Vancouver, well exceeding the speed limit. A police officer spotted the vehicle and initiated pursuit shortly after 4 a.m. PT. Moments later, a head-on collision occurred between the pursued vehicle and another car, as detailed in a 2022 report from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.
The report indicated that two individuals lost their lives in the crash, with a third individual succumbing to injuries in the hospital. The B.C. Coroners Service confirmed that Ayyad was driving the vehicle in the wrong direction with Gilchrist as a passenger, resulting in the collision with Choi, who later passed away in the hospital.
Following the investigation, the Independent Investigations Office cleared the pursuing officer of any wrongdoing. Now, nearly five years later, a coroner’s inquest jury is delving into the case’s circumstances and is expected to provide recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Family members of the deceased shared heartfelt memories during the inquest proceedings. Stormie Choi fondly recalled her brother Gabriel, describing him as a talented hip-hop artist with a vibrant personality. Barbara Empson, the mother of Gilchrist, remembered her daughter’s warm demeanor and shared the challenges she faced with mental health.
Former RCMP Staff Sgt. Philip Neetz, who was the watch commander on duty during the incident, testified about the police response, including the deployment of a spike belt to stop the fleeing vehicle. Despite issuing an order to halt the pursuit, Neetz expressed confusion as to why the order was not effectively communicated and why the chase continued.
The inquest is ongoing and is scheduled to conclude on December 19.