News Release
SIU Investigates Motor Vehicle Collision Involving Niagara Regional Police
Case Number: 08-OVI-273
Other News Releases Related to Case 08-OVI-273
At approximately 5:20 a.m. on Sunday December 28, 2008, an officer with the Niagara Regional Police Service attempted to stop a pick-up truck on Niagara Street North. The vehicle, which had been reported stolen, did not stop for investigation. A short distance away, the driver lost control and crashed into a Pizza Hut in a strip mall at 841 Niagara Street.
There were three occupants in the vehicle: the 18-year-old male driver, who was arrested after a foot chase, was not injured and is under investigation by the Niagara Regional Police; an 18-year-old male has been treated for a broken arm; and, a 17-year-old female has been treated and released from hospital.
The SIU is conducting its investigation into the actions of police in this case, while the Niagara Regional Police Service is carrying out a parallel investigation into the reported vehicle theft.
The SIU is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 1-800-787-8529, extension 1867.
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