News Release

No Charges by Military Police in LAV III Accident

CFNIS (Int'l) 2005-02 - December 1, 2005

OTTAWA – After an initial investigation, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) does not plan to lay charges in relation to the LAV III rollover accident in Afghanistan Nov. 24.

The Canadian LAV III was passing a slow-moving, horse-drawn cart on a highway at approximately 65 kilometers per hour (below both local and CF speed limits) when an oncoming local vehicle turned on its headlights. The driver of the LAV III swerved to avoid it, resulting in the rollover.

It is not uncommon for local Afghan residents to drive without headlights at night. The Afghan driver and vehicle were not identified at the scene. It is not known whether the local driver was aware of the accident.

The CF will still conduct a board of inquiry (BOI) as per normal procedure in cases of death or serious injury. A BOI is an internal investigation that makes administrative findings, determines cause and, if possible, makes recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The NIS is an independent military police unit with the mandate to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to National Defence property, DND employees and CF personnel serving in Canada and around the world.

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Contact:

Capt. Mark Giles
Public Affairs Officer
CF Provost Marshal / NIS
National Defence Headquarters (Ottawa) .
(613) 945-0522 office
(613) 293-8355 cell