News release

Weekly Media Release - Trail and Greater District RCMP - 2025-09-04

September 4, 2025 - Trail, British Columbia
From: Trail RCMP

Content

Back to school speed zone now in effect in the Trail and Greater District

Trail RCMP is reminding drivers that the 2025/206 school year has officially begun and speed limits in school zones are now in effect. Here are some tips for drivers and parents to make sure children get a safe start to the year.

Tips for drivers:

• Every school day, unless otherwise posted, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In playground zones, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect every day from dawn to dusk.
• Watch for school buses. When their lights are flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions must stop.
• If a vehicle stops in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding to a pedestrian, so proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.
• Avoid distractions by leaving your phone alone while driving and watch for children walking, cycling or riding a scooter. Distracted and inattentive driving is a leading cause of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.
• Before getting into your vehicle, walk around it to make sure there are no small children hidden from your view. Always look for pedestrians when backing up.
• You can help pedestrians see you better by making sure that your headlights, brake and turn indicator lights are clear, visible and in good working condition at all times.
• In residential areas, look for signs of kids playing such as a nearby ball or hockey net. Slow down and watch for children as they could run into the street at any moment.

Tips for parents and caregivers:

• If you drop off your child in a school zone, they should exit the car on the side closest to the sidewalk. Don’t stop in a no parking or no stopping area or block a crosswalk as this can prevent drivers from seeing children as they’re walking and put their safety at risk.
• Teach your child the basics of crossing the street:
• Stop at the curb or edge of the road.
• Look left and right for oncoming vehicles, then look left over your shoulder for vehicles that might be turning.
• Make sure all vehicles have stopped before entering the road. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing, even if the walk signal is on.
• When the intersection is clear, start crossing and keep looking for approaching vehicles.
• Teach your child to walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk away from the road, so they’re further away from traffic. If there isn’t a sidewalk, they can walk facing oncoming traffic, so they can see approaching vehicles and make eye contact with drivers.
• Set a good example for children by crossing at intersections with a pedestrian crossing light or marked crosswalk, where possible. Avoid shortcuts through parking lots or around parked cars where it's harder for drivers to see small children.
• Teach your child to stay focused on their surroundings while walking, cycling or riding a scooter and to listen for traffic and scan for approaching vehicles.
• If your child will be outside at night or in poor weather, make sure they’re wearing bright clothes and reflective gear.
• Discourage play near or on railways. Only cross railway tracks at designated signals or signs and watch your step.

For more information, please visit the ICBC back to school website.

ICBC also has free learning resources for teachers and children on developing road safety skills and awareness.

"Trail RCMP and BC Highway Patrol will be in school zones all school year enforcing the speed limits to help make our roads safer for our kids," says Sergeant Mike Wicentowich.

Indecent exposure prompts police investigation

File # 2025-3634

On Sunday, August 28, 2025, at 9:50 a.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer received a report about a man who allegedly exposed himself to a victim in a campground near Champion Lakes Road, in Fruitvale, BC.

The man allegedly approached the victim in a campsite, pulled down his pants, and engaged in an indecent act. The victim told the man to leave who did so after further persuasion. The victim remained at the campsite with a friend and a dog until the matter was reported to police.

The man did not return to the campsite but was later identified as a 47-year-old Kelowna man.

The matter remains under criminal investigation.

Trail RCMP wants to speak to anyone who may have addition information about this man, and anyone who witnessed this man in the area during his stay. Please contact the Trail Detachment at 250-364-2566 to speak to an investigator.

"This investigation is underway, and we wish to speak to anyone who was a witness to this incident, or similar behaviour, or this 47-year-old Kelowna man and his activities at the campsite," says Sgt. Wicentowich.

Trail man found deceased in vehicle after suspected medical incident

File # 2025-3661

On Sunday, August 28, 2025, at 12:42 p.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer and BC Emergency Health Services responded to a report of an unconscious 64-year-old Trail man inside a vehicle in a parking lot in the 1100 block of Trail, BC.

The man did not exhibit any signs of life; however, EHS attempted medical intervention for up to 30 minutes. The man could not be revived. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The man is initially believed to have suffered a medical incident prior to his death; however, the BC Coroners Service continues the investigation to determine cause of death.

"This incident was a sudden and unexpected tragedy. Anyone who witnessed or was affected by the incident can contact Trail RCMP Victim Services to receive support," says Sgt. Wicentowich

Trail man deceased after suspected overdose

File # 2025-3667

On Monday, August 29, 2025, at 6:34 a.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer and BC Emergency Health Services responded to a report of the sudden death of a 61-year-old Trail man in the 1300 block of Pine Avenue, in Trail, BC. The man was known to be unhoused.

The man and an acquaintance were sleeping outside in front of a building. When the acquaintance awoke, she found the man was unresponsive. The acquaintance believed the man had succumbed to an overdose of a substance sometime overnight.

The acquaintance, and a passerby, contacted 9-1-1 then attempted to revive the man with Naloxone and CPR; however, were not successful. When BC Emergency Health Services arrived, paramedics attempt further advanced medical intervention without success.

The 61-year-old Trail man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The BC Coroners Service continues to investigate.

"The street drug supply appears to be frequently toxic to its users as deaths are an all too common occurrence. People slumped over from drug use isn’t a crime although public consumption is still prohibited in non-designated places," says Sgt. Wicentowich.

Contacts