Burnaby resident Dahlia Colaric has filed a lawsuit in British Columbia Supreme Court alleging that Transit Police “tackled” her at Lougheed Town Centre station.
She is seeking an unspecified amount of money for damages from TransLink and related organizations, such as SkyTrain, Metro Vancouver Transit Police and a series of John Does.
Colaric’s Aug. 23 notice of civil claim says that on or around June 7, Transit Police accused her of not buying a ticket to ride the SkyTrain.
She was taken to the ground by officers, and handcuffed by one, Colaric alleged.
Her notice of civil claim does not say that she bought a ticket, or otherwise paid her fare. Instead, it says that “the defendant constables had no reasonable grounds on which to detain or arrest the plaintiff.”
She suffered an injury to her right foot and ankle as well as her right knee, she claims. She also suffered bruising, contusions and other injuries, according to her claim.
She now suffers “post-traumatic headaches,” Colaric claims.
She also has trouble sleeping and has psychological as well as emotional injuries from the incident, the claim notes.
“As a result of the said injuries, disabilities and symptoms, the plaintiff has undergone and will continue to undergo medical treatment,” according to her notice of civil claim.
Colaric is alleging that the Transit Police were negligent and engaged in “wilful misconduct by unreasonably arresting and detaining the plaintiff when they knew or ought to have known that no charge would be laid against the plaintiff.”
None of the defendants has yet filed a statement of defence.
BIV contacted TransLink for a comment and received an email saying: “TransLink takes safety claims very seriously. Given this matter is before the courts, we cannot comment further at this time.”
None of the allegations has been proven in court.