News Release
SIU Ceases Investigation into Crash Near OPP Road Closure in Port Hope
Case Number: 21-PVI-202
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a case involving a man who suffered serious injuries in a collision near an Ontario Provincial Police-involved road closure in Port Hope.
Early on July 1, 2021, a man was driving home from work, travelling eastbound on Highway 401 when he came upon a road closure with pylons, police cruisers with their emergency lights activated and fire department vehicles. The man went into the lone lane on the far left and had nearly passed the scene when his vehicle was rear ended by a tractor trailer.
Director Martino said it appeared the driver of the tractor trailer was responsible for the collision. Further, he added it did not appear the setup of the road closure contributed to the collision. Thus, the investigation has been discontinued and the file has been 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
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES