News Release
SIU Concludes Collision Investigation in Peterborough
Case Number: 07-PVI-003
The SIU investigation revealed that on January 2, 2007, an OPP officer from the Peterborough County detachment was on duty and in an unmarked police cruiser. At about 9:38 p.m., the officer heard a call over the radio about a possible pursuit in the Peterborough area. He traveled southbound on Frank Hill Road with the intention of assisting in the pursuit. The officer slowed as he entered the intersection of Highway 7 and Lindsay Road and struck a Chevrolet car that was traveling eastbound on Highway 7.
Both occupants in the Chevrolet were taken to hospital. The 48-year-old driver suffered a broken wrist and the 49-year-old passenger was assessed and released from hospital without treatment.
Director Cornish concluded that the evidence did not provide a proper basis for a criminal charge. He said, "I considered the fact the officer was attending to assist another officer, speed was certainly not an issue and there is some evidence that the grade of the roadway and man-made obstructions may have played a role in the officer's failure to see the motorist he hit. The evidence satisfies me that the officer committed no criminal offence."
If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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