News Release
Man Diagnosed with Serious Injuries following Crash; SIU Discontinues Haldimand Investigation
Case Number: 21-PCI-243
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into injuries suffered by a 33-year-old man earlier this month.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, on the morning of August 3, 2021, Ontario Provincial Police arrested the man after a crash on East Cross Street in Haldimand. An ambulance was called, but medical attention was refused. While the man was in his cell, he fell from his bunk and cut his head. He was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a fractured neck vertebra and right wrist.
Director Martino observed that the man’s fractured neck and right wrist were possibly incurred in the motor vehicle collision prior to any police involvement. He further concluded it was possible that the man’s fall in cells may have caused or aggravated his injuries, but, in that event, there was no evidence to suggest any police officer was legally responsible for the man’s fractures. As such, the investigation has been discontinued.
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
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES