News Release
SIU Discontinues Oshawa Investigation as Woman did Not Sustain Serious Injury Within SIU Mandate
Case Number: 23-OVI-184
Other News Releases Related to Case 23-OVI-184
SIU Investigating Oshawa Collision Between Cruiser and Civilian Vehicle
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury suffered by a 86-year-old woman in May in Oshawa.
In the morning of May 14, 2023, the woman was driving west on Rossland Road East, through a green light at the Ritson Road North intersection, when her vehicle collided with a Durham Regional Police Service cruiser. The cruiser was travelling south through the intersection on a red light. The woman was taken to hospital from the scene and ultimately diagnosed with only soft-tissue injuries.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of the woman’s medical records, Director Martino was satisfied that the investigation should be discontinued. In the circumstances, as the woman did not sustain a ‘serious injury’ within the mandate of the SIU, the Unit was without statutory jurisdiction to investigate the incident. 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