News Release

SIU Updates Investigation into Hamilton Collision

Case Number: 06-TFI-029   

TORONTO (23 February, 2006) --- Investigators are in Hamilton and continuing to investigate the extent of police involvement in a collision that occurred on February 22, 2006, involving the Hamilton Police Service (HPS).

Preliminary information from the investigation indicates that at about 1:45 p.m., HPS officers identified a stolen Dodge Caravan at the Meadowlands shopping centre in Ancaster. The police started to follow the van. A short while later, the van was seen driving erratically as it continued westbound on Fennel Avenue. At the intersection of Fennel and Garth Street, the van struck a Volvo car. The van then continued on to Scenic Drive and a short distance later, it struck a tree.

During this time, several HPS officers had started to follow the van however the exact nature of the officers' involvement leading up to the collision is unclear.

There were four occupants in the van, three of whom are now in police custody. The fourth occupant, a 16-year-old boy, remains at McMaster Medical Centre in critical condition. The three occupants in the Volvo were taken to hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

The investigation is continuing with police and civilian interviews.

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