News Release

News Release

SIU Investigates Vehicle Deaths near Sarnia

Case Number: 12-PVD-024   

Mississauga (19 January, 2012) --- Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two individuals on Hwy 402 near Sarnia this morning.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) contacted the SIU and reported the occurrence of a series of collisions on Hwy 402 near Sarnia at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012.  Multiple vehicles were involved, including a marked OPP cruiser, which itself was reportedly responding to the scene of a preceding motor vehicle collision in the area.  Two civilians, each from separate vehicles involved in the collisions, died as a result.  

Two investigators, two forensic investigators and one collision reconstructionist from the SIU have been dispatched to the scene. 

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact the lead investigator at 416-622-1806 or 1-800-787-8529 extension 1806.

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