IIO clears RCMP officer after a suspected impaired driver ran from a traffic stop and later drowned

An investigation by BC's police watchdog has cleared an RCMP officer after a suspected impaired driver ran from a traffic stop near Lytton and later drowned.

The Independent Investigations Office says a Mountie made the stop on the evening of August 12th last year after pulling over a driver for speeding.

The man was found dead in the Fraser River near Hope six days later.

IIO spokesman Ron MacDonald says the investigation couldn't determine if it was unreasonable for the officer not to chase the man down an embankment.

It's not clear when or how the man ended up in the river before drowning, and a charge will not be pursued against the Mountie.