By David F. Rooney
Police have confirmed that Dean Pratico, 56, was the man who died at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops after an altercation with a 33-year-old motorist on 9th Street last Friday, April 25.
Staff Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky said Pratico died from “severe head trauma” and the police urgently need to speak with people who actually saw the incident unfold on 9th Street at 11:15 am across from Queen Elizabeth Park last Friday.
“Dean experienced severe head trauma,” he said. “He was unconscious when the ambulance arrived. We continue to be investigating the incident and are seeking any witnesses. That is the sole injury noted. It appears that his head striking ground is the cause.
“Most people we have talked to are not actual witnesses but people who knew Dean. We have not spoken with anyone who actually saw what happened — just people who came on the scene after it occurred.”
Grabinsky said investigator want know the exact circumstances of the incident, especially whether Pratico was punched or pushed. People who knew Dean said he was frequently angered by people who ignored the posted speed limits in the school zone along 9th Street.
Pratico suffered from rheumatoid arthritis that had severely crippled his hands. He leaves behind a wife and child.
“We’d like to rule out intent to harm or criminality,” he said. “Some of the things we know are circumstantial.”
The South East District Major Crimes Unit is present in Revelstoke conducting the investigation. Police continue to seek information from the public, and encourage anyone who witnessed the event to contact the Revelstoke RCMP Detachment at 250-837-5255 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
