News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation After Man Seriously Injured During Police Pursuit in Belleville

Case Number: 26-OVI-054   

Mississauga, ON (19 May, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Belleville Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injuries suffered by a 44-year-old man in a collision. On the night of February 1, 2026, officers were on the lookout for a Dodge Charger after receiving a report of a suspected impaired driver.

An officer tried to stop the driver, and the driver fled, speeding, going through stop signs and red lights. The three kilometre pursuit ended when the driver lost control on George Street and hit a pole. The man was taken to hospital and treated for clavicle, neck and rib fractures.

Director Martino noted the officer’s driving and decision-making during the pursuit were subject to legitimate scrutiny as he drove for periods at significant speeds, at times about twice the speed limit on wet and snowy roads. However he was unable to reasonably conclude on the totality of the evidence that the officer’s driving amounted to a marked departure from the standard of care.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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