News Release

News Release

SIU Investigates Injuries to Cyclist in Welland

Case Number: 13-OVI-222   

Mississauga (5 September, 2013) --- Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding the injuries sustained by an 18-year-old male last night in Welland.

Preliminary information indicates the following:
• On September 4, 2013, at approximately 10 p.m., an officer with the Niagara Regional Police Service stopped a vehicle traveling eastbound on Thorold Road. While the officer was speaking with the driver, he fled the scene. The officer followed;
• A short time later, the civilian vehicle struck a cyclist at the intersection of First Avenue and Thorold Road. The cyclist was airlifted to Hamilton General Hospital for treatment of serious injuries, including a broken femur.
• After striking the cyclist, the driver of the civilian vehicle continued to drive until he eventually struck a pole and came to a stop.
 
The SIU has assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to probe the circumstances of this incident.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact the lead investigator at 416-622-1988 or 1-800-787-8529 extension 1988.

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