News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Woman’s Fall from Overpass in Dryden
Case Number: 25-PCI-211
The Deputy Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Stacey O’Brien, has terminated an investigation into the serious injuries suffered by a 21-year-old woman in May in Dryden.
On May 22, 2025, emergency dispatch received multiple 911 calls reporting a person in possible distress on the CPR overpass on Duke Street, between Memorial Avenue and Government Street, in Dryden. An Ontario Provincial Police officer arrived at the scene to find a woman standing on the outside ledge of the overpass structure, facing oncoming traffic. Both of her feet were positioned on the ledge above the railway tracks. The officer attempted to engage the woman in dialogue and persuade her to step away from the railing. Approximately 21 seconds after police arrival, the woman jumped from the ledge and landed on the train tracks below. The officer made his way to the woman to provide assistance and was joined by additional officers who supported emergency response efforts. The woman was transported to hospital where she was diagnosed with multiple leg fractures and possible spinal/nerve injury.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including interviews and a review of video footage that captured the incident, Deputy Director O’Brien was satisfied the police were not responsible for the injuries sustained by the woman. The officers did nothing that could conceivably attract criminal liability in connection with the incident; rather, the actions of police contributed to the preservation of the woman’s continued well-being. There being patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of the police was concerned, 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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES