News Release
SIU Concludes London Investigation
Case Number: 09-OVI-123
Other News Releases Related to Case 09-OVI-123
Four investigators and three forensic investigators from the SIU probed the circumstances of the incident.
The SIU investigation determined that at 1:42 a.m. on May 29, 2009 three officers from the LPS were conducting an investigation on Blackfriars Street near Argyle Street. Another officer was at the scene and seated in his stopped LPS SUV. A vehicle traveling westbound drove into the front of the LPS vehicle. The officer in the police vehicle and 27 year old Jason Pearce were taken to Victoria Hospital in London for treatment.
Director Scott said, "By all accounts, Mr. Pearce drove at a high rate of speed directly into the stationary LPS SUV that was parked in the eastbound lane of Blackfriars St. on a slight angle in front of another LPS cruiser. The officer was in the driver's seat of the SUV at the time of the collision. As a result of the collision, Mr. Pearce sustained two fractures. The only reasonable conclusion based upon the investigation is that Mr. Pearce drove his vehicle into the stationary police vehicle while impaired, causing serious injuries to both himself and the subject officer. The subject officer was a mere passive bystander." Director Scott concluded, "The subject officer cannot be held criminally liable for the injuries suffered by Mr. Pearce."
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