News Release

News Release

Deceased Individual Located After Fleeing Car Entered Lake Ontario in Greater Napanee

Case Number: 26-PVD-187   

Other News Releases Related to Case 26-PVD-187

SIU Investigating After OPP Pursued Driver, Car Entered Lake Ontario in Greater Napanee

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Mississauga, ON (23 April, 2026) ---
The Special Investigations Unit continues to investigate the circumstances of an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) traffic stop that ended when the vehicle crashed into Lake Ontario in Greater Napanee. The body of one individual was located by the OPP dive team last night. 

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 10:55 p.m. on April 21, 2026, an officer with the Lennox and Addington OPP detachment attempted to stop a driver on Bath Road. Shortly after, the vehicle hit the ditch and entered Lake Ontario in the area of Highway 33 and County Road 21. 
  • Last night OPP divers located a deceased person inside the submerged vehicle.
  • The individual has not yet been formally identified.
One investigator, a collision reconstructionist and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case at this time. 

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

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