Man gets 5-year sentence for hit and run that left 2 BC cops with ‘life-altering injuries’

A man who was behind the wheel of a vehicle that seriously injured two police officers in 2019 has been handed a multi-year prison sentence.

On Thursday, Nov. 7, 35-year-old Jason Kirupakaran was sentenced to five years in jail for the incident in Burnaby on March 4, 2019.

He received four years for criminal negligence and an extra consecutive year for failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

The court also imposed a seven-year driving prohibition and a DNA order on Kirupakaran.

“Our thoughts remain with the two injured officers and their loved ones, as their lives have been forever changed,” said Chief Supt. Graham de la Gorgendiere, Burnaby RCMP.

“This was an extremely difficult and complex investigation, with many teams and police officers methodically working towards the result.”

On the day of the accident, RCMP officers responded to a report of a hit and run in South Burnaby shortly before noon.

The incident left an RCMP officer and an Abbotsford Police officer, who were on duty with the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service at the time, with “life-altering injuries,” the RCMP said.

“This hit and run has had a significant impact on the two officers who were seriously injured while on the job,” said Cpl. Alexa Hodgins when charges were laid in May 2022.

The suspect vehicle, which was registered to Kirupakaran but reported as stolen from New Westminster the day of the incident, was found by police a short distance away.

The trial determined that Kirupakaran was in fact behind the wheel at the time.

Kirupakaran was found guilty on Jan. 11, 2024, and was expected to be sentenced in February, but his jail term was finally handed down 10 months later.