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The incident began at the Peace Arch point of entry, Canada’s third-busiest border crossing. Before 8 a.m., the pickup was seen speeding through a checkpoint.

Canadian Border Service Agency officials wear service firearms and are equipped with cruisers capable of high-speed pursuit. Nevertheless, as per CBSA protocol, in these instances, their agents are only authorized to radio ahead to police with a description of the vehicle.

“You run inside, you pick up the phone or the radio and you try to reach a police force,” said Fortin, adding: “We could have easily picked up the truck.”

Surrey RCMP, who patrol the area immediately surrounding Peace Arch, have experience in dealing with border-runners from the American side. In 2016, a co-ordinated Surrey RCMP pursuit helped rein in an erratic Volkswagen that had plowed through Peace Arch checkpoints.

Nevertheless, the pickup was able to evade the Mounties. After receiving a call from CBSA at 7:45 a.m, Surrey RCMP put out patrols for the truck. When the patrols turned up nothing, Vancouver Police were informed at 8:20 a.m. to be on alert for the vehicle.

Photo by Les Bazso/The Province

The pickup was able to speed through the jurisdictions for the Delta Police Department and Richmond RCMP until Vancouver Police identified the vehicle a few blocks south of Vancouver General Hospital around 8:30 a.m.

After the driver did not pull over in response to Vancouver Police lights and sirens, officers pursued him five kilometres west until its collision in Kitsilano.