News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Thunder Bay Collision
Case Number: 24-OVI-093
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a February collision in Thunder Bay involving a civilian vehicle and a police vehicle.
In the afternoon of February 29, 2024, a Thunder Bay Police Service officer was engaged in a police pursuit with the 31-year-old male driver of the civilian vehicle. The pursuit lasted about four-and-a-half minutes, travelled approximately seven kilometres, and came to an end when the vehicles collided with each other at the southern end of Neebing Avenue. The man was arrested and taken to hospital.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of the man’s medical records, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. A medical assessment was unable to positively identify any fractures or other serious injuries. On this record, there being insufficient evidence of ‘serious injury’ within the terms of the SIU’s statutory mandate, 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