News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Toronto Collision
Case Number: 04-TVI-124
A TPS officer was pursuing a Mercedes SUV when it collided with a Plymouth Voyager van on Weston Road. The 30-year-old driver of the van was taken to hospital and treated for brain injuries. He has since been released from hospital and is recovering from his injuries.
The SIU investigation determined that at approximately 4:10 a.m., TPS officers traveling in a marked cruiser saw a Mercedes SUV being driven erratically westbound on Sheppard Avenue. The officer initiated a pursuit of the car as it continued southbound on Weston Road. The SUV struck a guardrail and two signposts as it continued along Weston Road. At approximately 4:15 a.m., just past the intersection of Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue West, the SUV broadsided the van.
The evidence indicates the speeds involved in this pursuit occasionally reached as much as 106 km/h.
Director Cornish stated, "After weighing all the available evidence, there is no reason to believe the subject officer's driving was dangerous as defined by our law. The officer was under a duty to try to stop this vehicle and the police cruiser did not contact the SUV during the pursuit. The traffic was sparse to non-existent and there were no pedestrians out during this unfortunate incident."
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