News Release
Man who Stole Truck in Cambridge Responsible for Self-inflicted Injury; SIU Discontinues Investigation
Case Number: 23-PCI-188
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury suffered by a 42-year-old man in May in Cambridge.
In the morning of May 17, 2023, the man stole a transport truck from the ONroute service centre at 290 Highway 401, Cambridge, and proceeded to drive it westbound on the highway. He had travelled several kilometres when he exited the highway onto northbound Townline Road, became aware of a police cruiser behind him, and jumped from the driver’s seat onto the road, fracturing his left leg in the process. The officer in the cruiser observed what had happened, brought his vehicle to a stop, and rendered assistance to the man.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of video footage that captured the incident, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. On this record, there was patently nothing to investigate as far as the officer’s potential criminal liability was concerned. The man was alone responsible for his self-inflicted injury.
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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES