News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation After Driver Seriously Injured in Collision with Tree in London

Case Number: 24-OVI-138   

Mississauga, ON (24 July, 2024) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a London Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with a collision that seriously injured a 22-year-old man in London. As the Honda Civic he was driving had briefly been pursued by an officer, the SIU was notified and investigated. On March 26, 2024, the officer attempted to stop a motorist for driving on the opposite side of the road without headlights.

Shortly after beginning the pursuit, the officer stopped and pulled over. The driver accelerated and lost control, striking a tree on Osgoode Drive. The man was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a fractured femur and jaw, and a bilateral pulmonary contusion that caused bleeding and swelling.

Director Martino found the officer comported herself with due care and regard for public safety throughout her brief engagement with the driver of the Honda Civic.
 
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):

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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES