News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Fatal Motorcycle Collision
Case Number: 19-OVD-157
Other News Releases Related to Case 19-OVD-157
The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the death of a 28-year-old man in June of 2019.
At approximately 5 p.m. on June 29, 2019, the man was operating a motorcycle at high speeds eastbound on Highway 407. As he approached the highway’s intersection with Salem Road, he was clocked traveling at 157 km/h by a Durham Regional Police Service officer who was conducting speed enforcement at the time. The motorcyclist sped past the officer and continued east toward Highway 12 where he attempted to exit the highway. The motorcyclist lost control and crashed into the concrete barrier lining the left side of the Highway 12 exit ramp. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The officer, who had begun to follow in the direction of the motorcycle after it passed him, quickly lost sight of the motorcycle and was nowhere near it at the time of the collision.
Interim Director Martino said, “On the aforementioned record, it is evident that the officer had little, if anything, to do with the collision. In fact, learning of the collision after it occurred, he arrived at the scene after the fire department and paramedics. The man’s reckless speed, apparent before the officer had observed him, appears to have been the sole cause of his death. Consequently, as I am satisfied there is patently nothing to further investigate as far as the officer’s potential criminal liability is concerned, the investigation is hereby discontinued and the file closed.”
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