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Cop stopped, drove over teen: witnesses 0

CHRIS CAMPBELL, 24 HOURS

Ashley Guiboche, 18, worked at a Zellers outlet in Metrotown at the time she was knocked down and killed in Surrey B.C. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Ashley Guiboche, 18, worked at a Zellers outlet in Metrotown at the time she was knocked down and killed in Surrey B.C. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

A Surrey RCMP officer hit a teenager with his cruiser, stopped, and then drove over her body to park, two witnesses told a coroner’s inquest Tuesday.

Ashley Guiboche, 18, died Jan. 31, 2011, after being struck by Const. Albert Luk — an officer for less than two years — in the southbound lane of King George Boulevard near 98th Avenue.

Pedestrian Joel Selinger testified that moments after the crash the officer appeared to be still inside the vehicle speaking with somebody.

“The next thing I saw was the vehicle drove over the body,” Selinger said.

William Wishart gave similar testimony, adding from his nearby apartment it appeared the girl’s body had changed positions after the cruiser drove over it.

Guiboche had just exited the King George SkyTrain station at around 9:30 p.m. and was jaywalking when she was hit. The jury heard the area has been the site of three similar fatalities.

Inquest counsel Rod MacKenzie asked road supervisor Cpl. John Hanson if Luk would have been aware the area was notorious for jaywalkers and Hanson agreed.

Toxicology expert Dr. Walter Martz testified Guiboche had marijuana in her system, but couldn’t conclude whether she was “under the influence” of the drug.

Abbotsford police investigated the crash and found Luk was driving nearly 90 km/h. The jury heard how he hadn’t activated his emergency lights or siren. Minutes before the crash, however, a report of a stolen vehicle speeding south along King George was issued.

Sgt. Curtis Burks was the first person to have a conversation with Luk at the scene. He testified the dazed officer told him he had looked over at his mobile data terminal around the time of the crash and didn’t see anyone in the road.

Burks walked the distraught Luk away from the scene.

“He disintegrated emotionally,” Burks said. “He mentioned ‘I’m done’ a couple of times.”

The BC Coroners Service inquest is scheduled to conclude Feb. 7, with the jury making unenforceable recommendations. Luk is scheduled to testify Feb. 6.

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