News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Toronto Collision
Case Number: 05-TVI-003
Other News Releases Related to Case 05-TVI-003
The SIU was notified that a TPS officer in a marked cruiser was pursuing a minivan when the van mounted a curb and struck two pedestrians at the intersection of Victoria Park and Finch Avenues. A 22-year-old man suffered multiple fractures and a 19-year-old man was treated at hospital for minor injuries.
The SIU investigation revealed that two officers in a fully marked cruiser were stopped behind a minivan at McNicoll and Victoria Park Avenues. When the traffic light signal turned green, the officers noticed the driver of the van was driving erratically. The police attempted to stop the van and initiated a pursuit of the car, activating the cruiser's emergency lights and siren. The pursuit continued southbound along Victoria Park Avenue, past Morecambe Gate. At the intersection of Victoria Park and Finch Avenues, the driver of the van attempted to make a right turn. The van skidded through the intersection, mounted the curb, and struck two pedestrians who were waiting to cross the road.
Having reviewed all the available evidence, Director Cornish concluded the officers were simply doing their job in attempting to enforce the law. He stated, "This pursuit lasted for a matter of seconds and in the short time span within which it took place, there was very little opportunity for the subject officer to evaluate whether to discontinue the pursuit."
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