News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Whitby Collision
Case Number: 24-PVI-212
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a vehicle collision that occurred in May.
In the afternoon of May 19, 2024, an Ontario Provincial Police officer was enforcing the speed laws on the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 when his attention was drawn to a speeding vehicle. The officer activated his emergency equipment and the vehicle pulled over on the southbound shoulder of the highway in the area of Thickson Road in Whitby. As the officer stepped out and was approaching the passenger side of the vehicle, the driver sped off eastbound. The officer returned to his cruiser, broadcast what had occurred and remained stationary. Moments later, the driver of the vehicle lost control on the highway’s off-ramp to Stevenson Road. The vehicle struck the guardrail and came to a stop. Each of its four occupants were taken to hospital and diagnosed with serious injuries.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including video footage that largely captured the incident, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. On this record, it was evident that the officer did nothing that could conceivably attract criminal liability in connection with the collision. The file has been closed.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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