News Release

The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has found no reasonable grounds to believe that a Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) officer committed a criminal offence in connection with an April car crash that resulted in an 18-year-old male being seriously injured.

In the early morning hours of April 30, 2022, the DRPS received a 911 call about a break and enter at a residence in Bowmanville. The caller indicated that one of the assailants was armed with a gun. Multiple police officers were dispatched to the scene. While one of the officers was en route to the scene, he received information that two suspect vehicles had left the scene – one headed northbound on Bowmanville Avenue, the other travelling southbound. The officer observed the southbound Nissan Altima and started to pursue it with his emergency lights activated. The Nissan entered onto the parking lot of the Canadian Tire at 2000 Green Road, and within moments, it struck a concrete light standard and came to a stop. Two of the four vehicle occupants fled the vehicle, and the officer gave chase on foot with his firearm in hand. With the assistance of another officer, the two individuals were taken into custody without further incident. It was apparent that the 18-year-old male’s right arm had been injured in the crash. At hospital, he was diagnosed with a fractured right humerus.

As there were no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer conducted himself unlawfully throughout his engagement with the Nissan and its occupants, Director Martino determined there was no basis for proceeding with criminal charges. The file has been closed.                 

 

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.