News Release

News Release

Community Assistance Requested to Identify Woman Fatally Struck on Highway in Springwater

Case Number: 20-PVD-229   

Other News Releases Related to Case 20-PVD-229

SIU Terminates Investigation into Woman’s Death in Springwater

Mississauga, ON (16 September, 2020) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the death of a woman in her mid-20s in Springwater late last night.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At 10:48 p.m. on September 15, 2020, a civilian contacted Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Communications to report that a woman with a dog was standing on Highway 26 – near Carson Road – and waving her arms.
  • One minute later, the OPP received a second call, this time from an off-duty Barrie Police Service (BPS) officer who was in the area of Highway 26 and Carson Road. The BPS officer reported that the vehicle in front of him – being driven by an OPP officer – attempted to avoid something lying on the road. 
  • The BPS officer and the OPP officer exited their vehicles and found a woman lying in the roadway. First aid efforts were commenced, but the woman died at the scene.
  • The dog was located, deceased, off the road. 

At this time, five investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. One OPP officer has been designated as the subject officer. In addition, one BPS officer and one OPP officer have been designated as witness officers.

SIU investigators are appealing to the community for assistance to identify the woman. The woman – believed to be in her mid-20s – was wearing an orange jumpsuit and was with a dog. The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about the woman’s identify, or this investigation, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.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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