The province’s police watchdog has concluded its investigation into a collision in Southwold in which a 49-year-old man was seriously injured.
On March 3 of this year, Elgin OPP briefly pursued a speeding van along Talbot Line, west of Iona Road.
The officer broke off the pursuit and shortly after, the motorist lost control of the van and it crashed near Houghton Road.
Special Investigations Unit Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that an officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s injuries.
In his report it is noted, “The officer’s speed was high, at times, extremely high, but some speed was necessary if he was going to make up ground on the van that had sped past him in the opposite direction. Moreover, the officer’s top speed was short-lived, motorists in the vicinity were given notice of the cruiser via its emergency lights, and there is no evidence of third-party drivers having to take evasive action to avoid the cruiser.
“Importantly, there is no suggestion that the SO (subject officer) unduly pushed the van. Indeed, he was never very close to the van during the active engagement and had, prudently, disengaged before the collision occurred.”
The SIU is a civilian law enforcement agency that investigates incidents involving police officers where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
