The floral arrangement left at scene of the fatal pedestrian collision on Feb. 12 (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

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Feb 25, 2026 | 11:21 AM

Interior Health is cooperating with an investigation in the death of a 22-year-old man in Vernon.

On the morning of Feb. 12, a man was fatally struck by a semi truck on Highway 6 at the intersection with 27th Street. 

Family of the victim, Ezra Cool, said in an online fundraiser campaign that he had checked himself into Vernon Jubilee Hospital for a wellness check previously and was supposed to be under 24/7 supervised care.

In a statement to Vernon Matters, Interior Health said that this case was an active RCMP investigation and involved private patient information so it would not be able to provide further specifics, but did say it was “undertaking a review of this incident and will support any requests made by the RCMP for their investigation.” 

In the wake of the death Claire Rattée, MLA for Skeena and Critic for Mental Health, Addictions, and Housing Supports, said the system failed Cool due to several psychiatrists leaving their roles at VJH.

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IH confirmed that five psychiatrists had left their jobs at the hospital “for separate and unrelated personal reasons” in 2025, but said psychiatric services were still available locally.

“Three of those physicians [who left the hospital] are continuing to support local services through their community practices, which is positively impacting access and continuity of care for clients needing ongoing care,” IH said in its statement to Vernon Matters.

“Five additional psychiatrists are under contract to provide acute care services at VJH, as well as having support from locum (visiting) psychiatrists.” 

The health authority also said that it had recently hires a new full-time general practitioner working under the supervision of the VJH psychiatry group to support patients.

The RCMP said the driver and semi truck involved in the fatal collision had not been located as of Feb. 24.