News Release

News Release

Update: Woman Identified in Arnprior Vehicle Death

Case Number: 17-PVD-276   

Other News Releases Related to Case 17-PVD-276

SIU Investigating Fatal Collision in Arnprior, Appealing for Witnesses
No Criminal Charges Warranted in Relation to Arnprior Fatal Collision

Mississauga, ON (26 September, 2017) ---
In accordance with the Special Investigations Unit’s name release policy which requires consent from next of kin, the Unit is releasing the name of the 65-year-old woman who died at the scene of a multi vehicle collision yesterday in Arnprior.

The deceased is identified as Sheila Welsh of Arnprior.

The SIU continues to investigate this incident. Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • In the early afternoon hours of September 25, 2017, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was notified of a vehicle theft in the community of Eganville.
  • The 20-year-old driver of the vehicle made his way to Arnprior, traveling on Highway 60 and then on Highway 17. At some point, OPP officers began to follow the vehicle.
  • Sometime after 4 p.m., the vehicle was travelling northeast along Daniel Street South in Arnprior. At Daniel Street South and Edey Street, the vehicle collided with two other vehicles.
  • The driver of the vehicle being investigated was rushed to hospital, where he remains. He is from Eganville. Ms. Welsh, the driver of one of the vehicles that was struck, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. The third vehicle that was struck was unoccupied.  
    
Five investigators, two forensic investigators and one collision reconstructionist have been assigned to this incident.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

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

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