News Release

News Release

Update: SIU continuing to look into Hwy 401 Fatality in Whitby

Case Number: 10-OVD-180   

Mississauga (1 September, 2010) --- Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is continuing to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of 40-year-old Ioana Bocunescu of Toronto, and is appealing for witnesses to the incident that occurred on Friday, August 27th, 2010.  The SIU was notified by the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) that:

• At approximately 11:30 p.m., a DRPS officer followed a motorcycle, with two occupants, onto Highway 401 westbound near the Lake Ridge Road South overpass in Whitby.
• A short time later, the body of the Ms. Bocunescu was located on the highway.  It’s believed she had been struck by a number of vehicles.

Six investigators and two forensic investigators from the SIU are investigating this incident.  The Lead Investigator is appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have any information regarding any aspect of the above chain of events, to contact the Unit at 416-622-9035 or 1-800-787-8529.  

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must

• consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
• depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
• publicly report the results of its investigations