News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Collision Between Police Vehicle and Cyclist in Cornwall
Case Number: 18-OVI-226
Other News Releases Related to Case 18-OVI-226
SIU Appealing for Witnesses to Collision Between Bicycle and Police Vehicle in Cornwall
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has terminated an investigation into a collision that occurred between an unmarked police SUV and a cyclist in Cornwall in July of 2018.
At approximately 4 p.m. on July 27, 2018, a police officer who was en route to a call was operating an unmarked police SUV eastbound on Second Street East. At the Second Street East and Millville Avenue intersection, the officer proceeded to turn right onto Millville Avenue. As this was happening, a 33-year-old cyclist – who was riding his bike eastbound on Second Street East in the bicycle lane - collided into the right front corner of the police vehicle. The cyclist was thrown off the bicycle to the pavement. He was transported to hospital for treatment of a shoulder injury.
Director Loparco said, “The evidence establishes that the officer had a momentary lapse of attention and at a minimum, made a right turn not in safety. However, while the injury sustained by the cyclist was unfortunate, it did not result from any criminal act on the part of the officer. The officer’s driving did not rise to the level of dangerous driving under the Criminal Code. Accordingly, I have terminated the investigation into this incident.”
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