News Release

SIU Terminates Investigation as Man Not Seriously Injured After OPP-Involved Collision in Cornwall

Case Number: 25-PVI-016   

Mississauga, ON (20 May, 2025) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, 45-year-old man in a collision with a police vehicle operated by an Ontario Provincial Police officer in January in Cornwall.

Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, in the afternoon of January 15, 2025, an officer was operating an unmarked vehicle as part of a team that was tracking and surveilling an SUV in Cornwall. During this, the officer travelled into an intersection at speed and on an amber light, and struck another vehicle attempting a left-hand turn in front of him. The man, who was the driver of the vehicle that was struck, was transported to hospital and initially diagnosed with a fractured rib.  However, in a subsequent consultation with the doctor who made that diagnosis, it was determined that, in fact, the man had not suffered a fracture. By the time that evidence was received, the investigation had already been conducted by the SIU, including interviews with the officer and complainant.  

In the circumstances, though it is regrettable that substantial resources were expended before the SIU’s lack of jurisdiction became apparent, the prudent course was to refrain from making any determination on whether criminal charges were warranted in light of the absence of SIU jurisdiction. As such, the file has been closed.

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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES