News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Motorcycle Collision Involving OPP Cruiser in Welland

Case Number: 25-PVI-348   

Mississauga, ON (2 January, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injuries suffered by a 50-year-old man in a motorcycle collision.  On September 5, 2025, an OPP officer attempted to do a U-turn on Highway 58A while attempting to locate a pedestrian who was reportedly walking in traffic. While he attempted to turn around in a marked Dodge Charger, the operator of a Harley Davidson struck the side of the cruiser. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with fractures of the ribs, spine and pelvis.

Director Martino found that while the officer did not exercise sufficient care when he embarked on his U-turn, he was unable to reasonably conclude that the officer’s conduct transgressed the limits of care prescribed by the criminal law. 

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

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