News Release

No Basis to Lay Charges in Relation to Guelph Vehicle Pursuit that Preceded Collision

Case Number: 18-OVI-340   

Mississauga, ON (16 October, 2019) ---
On November 25, 2018, a 29-year-old man was seriously injured when the vehicle he was driving slammed into a utility pole in Guelph. At the time of the collision, the vehicle was being pursued by a Guelph Police Service officer. 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 serious injuries.

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

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