The Surrey RCMP is reviewing a coroner's inquest jury's recommendations following the tragic death of a young Surrey woman who was struck down by a Mountie's patrol car on King George Boulevard.

"We respect the inquest verdict and its recommendations," said Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet. He added they will "require some time" to review.

"We are looking at all the opportunities to improve on the policing service."

Ashley Christine Guiboche, 18, was killed shortly before midnight on Jan. 31, 2011 while jaywalking across the boulevard, near the King George SkyTrain Station. The northern strip of King George in Whalley is notorious for collisions involving pedestrians. Four pedestrians have been killed along the strip in the past few years.

The three-day inquest, presided over last week by coroner Vincent Stancato, heard that Surrey RCMP Const. Albert Luk had been travelling about 90 kilometres an hour, in response to a call about a stolen vehicle, when his patrol car hit Guiboche.

The jury heard Luk did not have his lights or sirens on and seconds before the crash had been distracted by a message on his car's mobile data terminal.

The jury found that Guiboche's death was accidental. It made six recommendations; one being that the City of Surrey, ICBC and TransLink "find a solution to the serious jaywalking problem" on King George Boulevard between 98th and 100th avenues, and that an overhead walkway over the King George and a crosswalk at 98B Avenue be considered "a priority."

The jury also recommended that Mounties receive more frequent training concerning the Motor Vehicle Act and emergency driving regulations, and that the RCMP programs its patrol car equipment to transmit audible text of all incoming messages that would enable the officers to respond verbally and hands-free while driving.

Luk still serves with the Surrey RCMP.

He had been with the RCMP for two years at the time of the collision.

Twitter @tomzytaruk

tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com