News Release
SIU Terminates Collision Investigation in Mississauga
Case Number: 08-OVI-198
Other News Releases Related to Case 08-OVI-198
It has now been determined that the injuries suffered by both parties in this incident are not serious injuries and, therefore, do no fall within the mandate of the SIU.
At approximately 2 p.m., a van, that had been reported stolen, struck the back of a car at the intersection of Morningstar Drive and Goreway Drive. Prior to the collision, the van had been stopped a short distance away by a Peel Regional Police officer on Drifton Crescent for investigation. While the officer was attempting to question the driver, he drove off.
As a result of the collision, both vehicles spun out of control, the car into a tree and the van into a concrete pole. A 47-year-old woman was treated for minor neck and back injuries and released from Etobicoke General Hospital. The driver of the van was treated at Brampton Civic Hospital and released into police custody. It was initially thought that he had suffered a broken rib; however, further investigation established that he did not, in fact, sustain any fractures.
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The SIU is guided by the definition of "serious injury" that was developed by the SIU's first Director, the Honourable Justice John Osler. The Osler definition reads: "Serious injuries shall include those that are likely to interfere with the health or comfort of the victim, and are more than merely transient or trifling in nature and will include serious injury resulting from sexual assault. Serious injury shall initially be presumed when the victim is admitted to hospital, suffers a fracture to a limb, rib or vertebrae or to the skull, suffers burns to a major portion of the body, loses any portion of the body, suffers loss of vision or hearing, or alleges sexual assault. Where a prolonged delay is likely before the seriousness or the injury can be assessed, the Unit should be notified so that it can monitor the situation and decide on the extent of its involvement."
In a parallel investigation, the Peel Regional Police charged 32-year-old Juston Craig, of no fixed address, with possession of property obtained by crime, flight from a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, fail to remain at the scene of an accident and breach of probation.
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