News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Teens Seriously Hurt After Fleeing Police in Whitby
Case Number: 24-OVI-339
Other News Releases Related to Case 24-OVI-339
SIU Investigating After Youths Injured in Collision in Oshawa While Fleeing Police
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe a Durham Regional Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injuries suffered by two male teenagers following a collision.
On August 13, 2024, an officer briefly pursued the driver of a BMW for a traffic infraction. The driver sped away. The officer hit a speed of 112 km/h and ceased pursuit when he recorded the licence plate of the BMW. The officer was about one kilometre away when the BMW was involved in a collision. The driver of the BMW ran a red light at Winchester Road West and collided with a westbound vehicle.
Two occupants of the BMW suffered serious injuries. The 17-year-old male suffered multiple fractures and the 13-year-old male was admitted to hospital for unascertained but, presumably, serious injuries.
Director Joseph Martino concluded that the officer comported himself with due care and regard for public safety in his brief engagement with the BMW.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
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
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES