News Release

OPP Officer Charged in Relation to West Grey Vehicle Injuries

Case Number: 13-PVI-060

Mississauga (12 July, 2013) --- The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has reasonable grounds to believe that an officer with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Markdale detachment committed a criminal offence in relation to the injuries sustained by a 26-year-old man in a March 2013 incident. Director Scott has caused a charge to be laid against the officer.   

The SIU investigation determined that on March 3, 2013, OPP officers were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) spot check when a snowmobile came to their attention. One of the officers involved in the spot check traveled to West Back Line in a marked cruiser, where he eventually collided with a northbound snowmobile being operated by the 26-year-old male. As a result of the collision, the man sustained a fracture to his upper sternum and suffered partially collapsed lungs.

As a result of the SIU investigation, OPP Constable James Hunter is facing one charge of Dangerous Driving, contrary to s. 249(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
 
The officer is compelled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 207 Cayley Street in Walkerton on September 9, 2013.  The Justice Prosecutions branch of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.

As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officer and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation. 

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must

• consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence  in connection with the incident under investigation
• depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
• report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General. 

Monica Hudon, monica.hudon@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES
Telephone/No de téléphone: 416-622-2342 or/ou 1-800-787-8529 extension 2342