News Release
SIU Terminates Collision Investigation in Brantford
Case Number: 24-OVI-425
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury suffered by a 53-year-old man in October in Brantford.
On October 4, 2024, a Brantford Police Service officer was travelling eastbound on Henry Street in response to a serious motor vehicle collision. The emergency equipment on the officer’s fully marked police cruiser was activated. As the officer approached Garden Avenue, a vehicle also traveling eastbound ahead of the cruiser proceeded to execute a U-turn. This vehicle went directly across the path of the cruiser. While the officer steered to the left to avoid striking the vehicle, the front right corner of the cruiser struck the front left portion of the other vehicle. The driver was transported to the hospital where he was treated for a fractured shoulder.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued at this time. On this record, it was apparent that the actions of the man in failing to yield to the approaching emergency vehicle caused his injury. There being nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer, 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