News Release
No Criminal Charges Warranted in Relation to Arnprior Fatal Collision
Case Number: 17-PVD-276
Other News Releases Related to Case 17-PVD-276
SIU Investigating Fatal Collision in Arnprior, Appealing for Witnesses
Update: Woman Identified in Arnprior Vehicle Death
On the afternoon of September 25, 2017, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were attempting to stop a stolen pickup truck that was being operated in an erratic and dangerous manner. In Arnprior, the pickup truck collided with a vehicle being operated by 65-year-old Sheila Welsh. Ms. Welsh was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck, 20-year-old Zachary Wittke, sustained injuries. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against any OPP officer in relation to the police pursuit.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):/en/directors_report_details.php?drid=2944
The Director’s Report was delivered to the Attorney General, as is required by law under the Police Services Act. The Attorney General has directed that the document be posted online.
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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SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES