News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Pedestrian Run Over by Alleged Fake Taxicab Driver Fleeing Toronto Police
Case Number: 23-TVI-312
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with a woman whose foot was run over by a purported taxicab driver fleeing police. The SIU was notified and investigated because the vehicle was fleeing from officers at the time.
On the night of August 6, 2023, the officer stopped a driver to investigate a possible fraudulent taxi driving in the area of Bathurst Street and Queen Street West. The driver attempted to flee and veered on the sidewalk, running over the left foot of a pedestrian. Officers provided emergency aid to the woman, 31, and called an ambulance. She was taken to hospital for treatment of a fractured left foot.
Director Martino found no reasonable grounds to conclude the subject official transgressed the limits of care prescribed by the criminal law throughout his dealings with the ‘taxi.’
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
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