A Revelstoke man has died following an altercation in an school zone near Queen Elizabeth Park on Friday.
Dean Pratico, 55, succumbed to his injuries in Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops over the weekend, RCMP confirmed on Monday.
Details on what happened are vague. What is known is that sometime around 11:15 a.m., Pratico had an altercation with a 33-year-old man on Ninth Street near Queen Elizabeth Park.
Various second-hand accounts of the incident say that Pratico approached the younger man after he encountered him allegedly speeding through the school zone. The speed limit along that stretch of road is 30 kilometres per hour.
An altercation between the two men happened, which led to Pratico hitting his head on the road. Paramedics attended the scene and took the man to Queen Victoria Hospital. He was later airlifted to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, where he was put on life support. He died from his injuries late Saturday night.
RCMP were unable to confirm information on exactly what happened between the two men.
"The exact circumstances as to how the injuries to one male occurred, is the subject of the police investigation," said Staff-Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky. He told the Times Review that so far the only account they've heard is from the 33-year-old. They are hoping witnesses will come forward to help them figure out what happened.
The RCMP's Serious Crimes Unit was called in from Kelowna to investigate the incident.
Grabinksy said the incident was being investigated at the "highest level." He said the question was being asked if the incident should be considered a murder, or something else.
"Initially, you start investigating, 'Is it a murder?'" he said. "What is the reason for this death?"
The 33-year-old has been interviewed several times, Grabinsky said. However, he added, no one has been arrested and no charges have been laid.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Revelstoke RCMP at 250-837-5255 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.