News Release
SIU Concludes Fatal Hamilton Collision Investigation
Case Number: 05-OVD-164
Other News Releases Related to Case 05-OVD-164
SIU Investigates Fatal Collision in Hamilton
SIU Updates Investigation into Fatal Hamilton Collision
On October 20, 2005, an HPS officer was pursuing a Volvo car that struck two other cars on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway in Hamilton. The driver of the pursued car, 52-year-old Stephen Lawrence, was pronounced dead at hospital. Two other people were taken to hospital, one with serious injuries and the other with minor injuries.
The SIU investigation determined that at 6:34 p.m., an HPS officer was responding to a personal injury motor vehicle collision in Dundas and drove along Upper Wentworth Street toward the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. The officer saw a black Volvo driving in an unusual manner on Upper Wentworth and followed the car onto the Parkway. In the area of Upper Gage Avenue and Upper Ottawa Street, the officer attempted to stop the Volvo for a traffic stop and turned on the cruiser's emergency lights, later followed with the siren. The Volvo did not stop and accelerated away eastbound on the Parkway.
The officer radioed the communications centre he had a car refusing to stop. In the area of Dartnell Road, the Volvo lost control on a bend in the road and collided with a westbound Volkswagen Jetta. The impact caused the Volvo to spin and slide sideways into the westbound lane where it struck a Pontiac Tempest, which was traveling westbound. The Volvo then mounted a concrete barrier and slid to a stop.
The duration of the pursuit was 28 seconds and it covered a distance of about 6 kilometres.
Based on the totality of the evidence, Director Cornish concluded the subject officer did not cause this tragedy. He stated, "The involved officer received the appropriate training in vehicle apprehensions and was indeed alive to safety issues. It must be remembered that this situation unfolded in a matter of seconds, over a relatively short distance and in the context of an emotionally charged situation."
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