News Release
As Man Was Not Seriously Injured in Collision, SIU Terminates Fort Erie Investigation
Case Number: 25-OVI-018
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an incident that occurred last month in Fort Erie.
In the afternoon of January 18, 2025, Niagara Regional Police Service officers responded to a call for service at a residence involving a domestic disturbance. A police blockade was set up, and negotiations were attempted with a 45-year-old man to have himself surrender peacefully. At about 3:30 p.m., the man exited his home, entered his vehicle and accelerated towards the police blockade. He drove into a stopped police SUV, seriously injuring a police officer who was in the cruiser at the time. The man was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured ankle.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. The man’s medical records established that the man in fact did not suffer any fractures or other serious injury. On this record, the SIU was without statutory jurisdiction to investigate the incident. The file has been closed.
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