News Release

News Release

SIU Investigates Collision in Hamilton

Case Number: 07-OVI-039   

TORONTO (23 February, 2007) --- Seven investigators from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are investigating the circumstances surrounding a collision that occurred during an incident involving the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) early this morning.

The SIU was notified that at approximately 2:00 a.m., HPS officers were investigating two motor vehicles that were being driven in an erratic manner in the area of Sherman Ave. and Burlington St. E. One vehicle stopped but the occupants fled on foot. The other vehicle, a Chrysler Intrepid, traveled eastbound on Burlington St. and collided with another vehicle that was northbound on Gage Ave.

One female occupant of the Intrepid is in hospital with facial injuries. SIU investigators are in the process of identifying four other occupants and determining their injuries, if any. The two occupants of the other motor vehicle, off duty HPS officers, suffered minor injuries.

SIU investigators are probing the nature and extent of police involvement in the events leading up to the collision. The SIU has designated one subject officer and three witness officers from the HPS.

The SIU is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-1925 or 1-800-787-8529 ext. 1925. Witnesses may also log on to the SIU's website and submit information at http://www.siu.on.ca/appealwitness.html

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

SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES