News Release

SIU Charges Two Durham Regional Police Service Officers in Relation to Fatal Whitby Highway Collision

Case Number: 24-OVD-187   

Mississauga, ON (17 January, 2025) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe two Durham Regional Police Service officers committed criminal offences in relation to a fatal multi-vehicle collision that occurred on April 29, 2024. 

As a result of the SIU investigation, Sgt Richard Flynn and Cst Brandon Hamilton are each facing the following charges under the Criminal Code
  • Three counts of criminal negligence causing death contrary to section 220(b); and
  • Two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm contrary to section 221.

Both officers are required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 150 Bond Street in Oshawa on February 13, 2025.

As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation.  

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.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES