News Release

SIU Investigates Collision in Kitchener

Case Number: 06-OVI-097   

Other News Releases Related to Case 06-OVI-097

SIU Concludes Kitchener Collision Investigation

TORONTO (8 June, 2006) --- Two investigators from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are investigating the circumstances surrounding a collision that occurred during an incident involving the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) on June 7, 2006.

The SIU was notified that at approximately 1:19 a.m., WRPS officers in marked cruisers near the area of Woolwich and Bridge Streets attempted to stop a vehicle reportedly being driven in an erratic manner. The officers followed the car to the area of Woolwich Street and Sunbridge Crescent, where the car collided with a pole.

The driver of the vehicle, 39-year-old Radu Gruescu, was taken to hospital and treated for multiple fractures.

SIU investigators are in Kitchener today, probing the nature and extent of police involvement in the events leading up to the collision. The SIU has designated one subject and one witness officer from the WRPS.

The SIU is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-2290 or 1-800-787-8529 ext. 2290. Witnesses may also log on to the SIU's website and submit information at http://www.siu.on.ca/appealwitness.html

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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES