News Release
SIU Updates Investigation in Kitchener
Case Number: 06-PVI-203
On November 25, 2006, shortly before noon, the Waterloo Regional Police Service contacted the OPP after terminating the pursuit of a motor vehicle traveling toward Highway 401 in Cambridge. At about the same time, the OPP started to receive civilian reports of an erratic driver in a Honda Accord, traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 401 in Kitchener.
In the area of Homer Watson Boulevard, the Honda collided head on with a stationary, unoccupied OPP cruiser. As a result, the 38-year-old driver of the Honda was extracted from the car and taken to Cambridge Memorial Hospital. The man, identified as Edward Meadus, has since been transferred to Hamilton General Hospital where he is being treated for a fractured hip.
As part of the probe, SIU investigators have designated two OPP officers as subject officers. An SIU collision reconstructionist measured and analyzed the collision scene and forensic identification technicians examined and photographed the involved vehicles. The investigation is actively continuing with police and civilian witness interviews. The SIU is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-2293 or 1-800-787-8529 x2293. 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