News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Fatal Collision
Case Number: 08-OVD-096
Other News Releases Related to Case 08-OVD-096
SIU Investigates Police Pursuit in Barrie Resulting in the Death of a Pedestrian
Four SIU investigators including two SIU forensic investigators and a collision reconstructionist probed the circumstances that led to the death.
The SIU investigation determined that on Wednesday May 28, 2008 at about 8:00 p.m. a BPS officer attempted to stop a 2007 Nissan Sentra on Essa Rd. near Anne St. in Barrie. The officer who was operating a marked BPS police car activated the car's emergency lights. The driver of the Nissan did not stop and accelerated away from the officer. The Nissan travelled along a number of streets, and the BPS officer lost sight of the Nissan on Huronia Rd.
As the Nissan went through the intersection of Huronia Road and Yonge Street the Nissan struck Mr. O'Keefe, who was crossing the road. The Nissan continued on Yonge Street and eventually collided with a utility pole at D'Ambrosio Drive. The driver of the Nissan fled the area on foot.
Mr. O'Keefe was transported to Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Nissan was later apprehended by members of the BPS and is presently before the courts on charges resulting from this incident.
Director Cornish said, "The officer activated his roof lights and attempted to pull the vehicle over. The vehicle sped off and numerous breaches of the rules of the road occurred over the span of the pursuit. The cruiser reached significant speeds, but the pursued vehicle was going faster and there was a gap between the Nissan and the police car. There is no suggestion that the cruiser ever made contact with the Nissan, nor can it be said that the officer operated his cruiser and unduly "pushed" the Nissan or otherwise prevented it from coming to a safe stop." Director Cornish added, "Criminal liability in these cases is premised on a finding that the conduct of the officer amounted to a marked departure from the standard of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in the circumstances. On my assessment of the evidence, given the officer's decision to start and continue the pursuit, the fact that the officer was for most of the pursuit well back of the Nissan and the overall manner in which the pursuit was conducted, I am satisfied that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the criminal standard was breached."
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