Chilliwack man hit by Taser in 'extremely critical condition': RCMP

Investigators are looking into how a Chilliwack, B.C., man ended up in "extremely critical condition" after a confrontation with RCMP officers in which a Taser was used on Monday afternoon.

RCMP said the 36-year-old wasagitated and acting erratically when officers arrived at a contractors' equipment rental store in the 45800 block of Airport Road in Chilliwack. Police had reported on Monday that the man was 29.

"He did sustain laceration to the head area in his struggle with police, however, the exact reason for his current condition is not known at this time," Lower Mainland District Assistant Commander Peter German said in a news release Tuesday.

The man remains in "extremely critical condition" in Chilliwack General Hospital's intensive care unit,he said.

Investigators have contacted his family. The man's name is not being released at their request.

The RCMP major crime section has taken over the investigation fromthe Chilliwack RCMP serious crime unit and is conducting a review of the incident "because of the possibility that the police use of force could be a factor in the subject's medical injuries," German said.

Investigators are looking at events prior to the police response, the actions of the police officers, the behaviour and medical state of the man, and witness accounts, he said.

Witness says man involved in hit-and-run accident

Sherry Kassian told CBC News on Tuesday that she saw the man's grey pickup truck hit another car and drive away.

"When the green light came, he just weaved right in front of the two lanes and he headed down Airport Road," Kassian said.

"I knew there was something funny about him and I was going to follow him until I knew exactly where he was going to land."

Kassian said she called police immediately.

The owner of the rental shop, Eze Rent-It Centre, who doesn't want to be named, said when the man was accused of hitting another car he became agitated.

Police said the man became combative and aggressive when two officers arrived.They tried to subdue him using pepper spray, batons, and then a Taser gun, police said.

Terry Thody, who lives near the shop,said the man was carried out on a stretcher and there was blood everywhere.

"His face was visibly bruised and his clothing covered in blood and he was restrained by a nylon strap on the stretcher," Thody told CBC News.

Police said the man was still conscious when he was taken to hospital.