Interior Health reviewing incident after young Vernon man dies

Published 4:12 pm Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Investigations continue into the death of a 22-year-old who died outside of the hospital he was supposed to be under the care of.

Ezra Cool, 22, checked himself into Vernon Jubilee Hospital seeking help as he was suffering from psychosis, his family says.

After an assessment, he was certified under the Mental Health Act, meaning he was admitted involuntarily and “should have been under direct 24/7 supervision,” according to the family.

“He did exactly what we tell people to do when they are struggling,” they said.

Somewhere along the way, the system failed him, the family alleges.

Still in his pyjamas and socks, Cool escaped Thursday, Feb. 12, and was found less than two hours later, his family said.

Cool was found around 7 a.m. below the hospital and Polson Park on Highway 6.

RCMP believe he was in the travel portion of the road when he was hit by a semi-truck.

“This was a tragic incident and Interior Health (IH) would like to offer our condolences to the family. Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted,” the health authority told The Morning Star.

While patient privacy and the active RCMP investigation underway prevent IH from providing further information or comment, it is looking into what happened.

“IH is undertaking a review of this incident and will support any requests made by the RCMP for their investigation.”

Meanwhile the RCMP still have no updates and no drivers have come forward in relation to the death.

“It is of the utmost importance that the police speak with the driver of the semi and we are urging them to come forward,” said RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Tania Finn on Feb. 12.

“To assist with the investigation, police are requesting witnesses and anyone with dash cam footage from the area around the time of the collision to come forward.”

Anyone with information regarding this collision, including dash cam footage on Highway 6 between the Science Centre entrance and 27th Street intersection during the time frame of 7 a.m. and 7:25 is urged to contact RCMP at 250-545-7171.

An online fundraiser has been launched for Cool’s family, who now have to cover the expenses associated with a funeral they were far from expecting.