News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Toronto Collision
Case Number: 23-TVI-328
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injuries suffered by a man in August in Toronto.
In the evening of August 15, 2023, the man – who was the subject of an arrest warrant – was stopped at a red light on Capri Road at the intersection of The East Mall. He was operating a stolen vehicle. Upon seeing a police cruiser, the man began to accelerate. He continued at speed for several hundred metres before losing control of the vehicle and crashing in the area of 500 The East Mall. The man fled the vehicle on foot but was apprehended shortly after. As a result of the crash, the man suffered serious injuries, including a bleeding liver.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. As there was no evidence that the man was pursued at any time by the officer, there is patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal lability of any police officer is concerned. 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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES