News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Single-Vehicle Collision in Orillia
Case Number: 08-PVI-075
Other News Releases Related to Case 08-PVI-075
OPP officers had gone to a service station on Atherly Road just after midnight to investigate a report of a fight between two men. The first officer to arrive in a marked cruiser was unable to block one of the men from driving off. The ensuing pursuit, lasting approximately 15 minutes, ended about 40 kilometres away at Mara Road south of Beaverton in Durham Region where the wanted vehicle went out of control. The 21-year-old driver was ejected from the vehicle, which rolled over several times. He was treated at Soldiers Memorial Hospital for multiple internal injuries.
The SIU assigned four field investigators and two forensic investigators to this case.
Based on their investigation, the Director of the SIU, James Cornish, concluded: "I believe that this accident is attributed to this man's inability to maintain control of his vehicle at high speeds."
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In addressing the man's claim that his car was pushed from behind by the lead cruiser causing him to lose control, the SIU investigation determined that the evidence did not support that contention. "The physical evidence runs contrary to that assertion," said Mr. Cornish, who also noted that the officers involved maintained radio contact with each other and their supervisor as the lead pursuit officer called in location speed and volume of traffic. "Although significant speeds were attained during the pursuit, at no point did the officers discern a danger to the public such that the pursuit should have been terminated."
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