Communiqué de presse
SIU Terminates Mapleton Collision Investigation
Numéro du dossier: 19-PVI-044
Les autres communiqués de presse concernant le cas 19-PVI-044
The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury sustained by a 25-year-old man in February of 2019 when the vehicle he was operating was involved in a collision.
On the night of February 25, 2019, an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer observed a vehicle of interest – a Mazda – travelling along Highway 86. Without activating the OPP vehicle’s emergency lighting, the officer began to follow the Mazda. At the intersection of Highway 86 and Side Road 15, the Mazda slowed, resulting in the police cruiser hitting it from behind. The Mazda turned onto Side Road 15. The officer activated his emergency lights, but he was immediately ordered by the communications centre to discontinue any efforts to stop the vehicle. A short time later, the driver of the Mazda lost control of the vehicle, travelled onto the north ditch, rolled and struck a utility pole. The man fled from the vehicle on foot but was later arrested. He was transported to hospital where he was diagnosed with a suspected concussion.
Interim Director Martino said, “The evidence collected following the SIU’s preliminary inquiries establishes that the officer had terminated his pursuit of the vehicle several minutes and about four kilometres before the man lost control and smashed into a hydro pole, resulting in the concussion that was subsequently diagnosed at hospital. In the circumstances, their engagement was sufficiently disconnected in time and space such that it cannot be said that the officer caused or contributed to the collision in any fashion that might attract criminal liability. Accordingly, the investigation is hereby discontinued and the file closed.”
L’UES est un organisme gouvernemental indépendant qui enquête sur la conduite d’agents (agents de police municipaux, régionaux et provinciaux, agents du Service de police Nishnawbe-Aski, agents spéciaux de la Commission des parcs du Niagara et agents de la paix du Service de protection de l’Assemblée législative) qui pourrait avoir entraîné un décès, une blessure grave, la perpétration de violences sexuelles ou la décharge d’une arme à feu sur une personne. Toutes les enquêtes sont menées par des enquêteurs de l'UES qui sont des civils. En vertu de la Loi sur l'Unité des enquêtes spéciales, le directeur de l'UES doit :
- considérer si un agent a commis une infraction criminelle en lien avec l'incident faisant l'objet de l'enquête;
- selon le dossier de preuve, faire porter une accusation criminelle contre l'agent, s'il existe des motifs de le faire, ou clôre le dossier sans faire porter d'accusations;
- rendre compte publiquement des résultats de ses enquêtes.