Police watchdog investigating Victoria crash that injured driver, passenger

British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating after two people were injured in a car crash following an attempted police traffic stop in Victoria.

British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating after two people were injured in a car crash following an attempted police traffic stop in Victoria.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. says it was contacted by the Victoria Police Department shortly after the crash, which occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of Bay Street and Esquimalt Road.

The department told the police oversight agency that its officers had tried to stop a black sedan that was driving on the wrong side of the road, according to a statement from the IIO.

Victoria police said in a social media post that the officers activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

"The vehicle failed to stop," the police statement said. "Officers were in the process of deactivating the vehicle emergency equipment when the suspect vehicle crashed around the corner."

Victoria police said the driver and passenger sustained "minor injuries" in the crash.

The police watchdog says its first task in the investigation will be to determine whether the injuries constitute "serious harm," as described in the B.C. Police Act.