LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The family of a Fort Simpson man who was injured by a vehicle last week, then held in a jail cell for being intoxicated until the next afternoon, and was later medevaced, is trying to determine the circumstances around his injuries.

Bleeding on the right side of his brain landed Bernie Michel, 61, of Fort Simpson, in the University of Alberta Hospital on July 24. Michel was struck by a vehicle in the village on July 21. His family is questioning the RCMP's response to the incident. - photo courtesy of Pam Norwegian

Bernie Michel, 61, was struck by a vehicle near Unity, a convenience store located on the village's main street, on the night of July 21. Pam Norwegian, Michel's niece, said she was told Michel was knocked down and hit his head. Because Michel was intoxicated at the time, the Fort Simpson RCMP took him to the detachment's holding cells. Norwegian said he was kept there until the next afternoon. After passing out and hitting his head in the cells, Norwegian was told, Michel was taken to the health centre.

"He wasn't coherent," said Norwegian.

Whether or not this was the first time the RCMP took Michel to the health centre following the car accident could not be determined by press time.

After being medevaced to Yellowknife, a CT scan revealed Michel had bleeding on the right side of his brain. He was then medevaced to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton where he arrived early on July 23. It couldn't be determined by press time which injuries caused the bleeding in his brain.

Michel's family including Norwegian, plus his sisters Mavis Norwegian and Diane Michel, are critical about the way the RCMP handled Michel and the case.

"No one is being charged yet. Nobody is doing anything about it," said Norwegian on July 24 after visiting Michel in the Edmonton hospital.

Michel's family feels his history is affecting the RCMP's response to the incident.

"I get that he's an alcoholic. Because of the kind of person he is they're not taking this seriously," said Norwegian.

On behalf of the family, Norwegian has been in contact with Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche to request he investigate the situation. Menicoche contacted the NWT Minister of Justice's office to ask for due diligence and a thorough investigation of the event.

On July 25 Norwegian received a call from an RCMP staff sergeant in Hay River who told her an internal investigation is being launched and a crew from the Lethbridge, Alta. city police department is being sent up this week.

"I'm ecstatic. We all are," she told the Drum.

Norwegian is certain it's only because the family raised questions and had their MLA make an inquiry that the investigation is being conducted. The family would like to see charges pressed against the person who hit Michel and answers as to why he wasn't taken to the health centre sooner, if that was the case.

The RCMP declined to answer questions from the Deh Cho Drum to clarify the circumstances around how Michel was struck by a vehicle and how many times he was taken to the health centre. The RCMP did send out a press release on Friday stating an individual's medical condition worsened while he was incarcerated in the detachment cells and he was admitted to the hospital.

"The RCMP has requested an external agency conduct an independent review of the circumstances surrounding this situation," the press release reads.

As of July 28, Michel's condition was improving. Norwegian said he was more coherent, could talk a bit and was aware of where he was. The family was told if he keeps progressing he may be sent back to Yellowknife for further care this week.

"He still has a long recovery to go," said Norwegian.

Menicoche said he will be continuing to follow this case to make sure it is properly investigated and that the facts come out.