News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Pair Injured After Car Hit By Toronto Police Cruiser
Case Number: 23-TVI-527
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 collision that seriously injured a 39-year-old woman and 35-year-old man. On December 23, 2023, two officers were responding to a reported break-and-enter call when their cruiser hit a Toyota Camry near Finch Avenue East and Bayview Avenue. The collision occurred when the officer, lights and sirens on, entered the northbound passing lane to overtake southbound traffic and the Camry turned in front of him.
Director Martino accepted that there were aspects of the manner in which the subject official operated his cruiser, particularly in the moments leading to the collision, that could fairly be characterized as dangerous. Entering onto an oncoming lane of traffic at speed as the officer did is bound to risk public safety. In addition, the officer’s speed as he made his way across Finch Avenue East and Bayview Avenue was subject to legitimate scrutiny. For stretches, the officer was well in excess of the 50 km/h speed limit. He was unable, however, to reasonably conclude that the officer’s conduct departed markedly from a reasonable standard of care in the circumstances.
They were taken to hospital where the man suffered from multiple rib and pelvic fractures and the man suffered a lacerated liver and orbital bone fracture. Two children, who were in the backseat of the Camry, were not seriously injured.
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