News Release
Man in Markham was Struck by Police Vehicle When he Suddenly Ran into Roadway; Charges not Warranted
Case Number: 18-OVD-062
Other News Releases Related to Case 18-OVD-062
SIU Investigating after Pedestrian Fatally Struck by Police Vehicle in Markham
On the afternoon of February 26, 2018, York Regional Police officers were conducting surveillance in Markham in relation to distraction thefts from motor vehicles. As a result of the surveillance, the decision was made to arrest a number of individuals. In the process, one of those individuals, a 40-year-old man, was struck by an unmarked police vehicle. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against the officer in relation to the man’s death.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.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