The Special Investigations Unit has cleared a police officer of any wrongdoing in a Simcoe collision that seriously injured a 71-year-old man.
Article content
A report issued by the SIU on Jan. 30 said at about 9 am on Oct. 4, a Norfolk OPP officer was in an unmarked car on Cedar Street when a driver in a known stolen vehicle was spotted heading into a residential area in Simcoe.
Article content
When the vehicle, a sliver BMW, stopped a stop sign, the officer maneuvered his car in front of the vehicle to drive a traffic stop.
The report says the BMW driver rammed the cruiser, then reversed into the vehicle behind the BMW before leaving the scene. The BMW traveled about 150 meters up Queen Street North where it struck head-on an Impala being driven north on Queen Street by the victim. The driver suffered a fractured femur, a brain bleed, and fractures to his neck and back. The man was transported to Hamilton General Hospital.
Article content
Both vehicles had extensive front damage.
The SIU said the suspect vehicle was being driven by a woman who was wanted by police. She was arrested at the scene.
“On my assessment of the evidence, there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the (officer) committed a criminal offense in connection with the incident,” said the report approved by SIU director Joseph Martino. “The (officer) was within his rights in pulling in front of the BMW to stop its progress. The officer had reason to believe that the driver was wanted by police for criminal offenses.
“Aside from absorbing a number of impacts from the BMW as it attempted to escape the blockade, the (officer) did little other than sit in his vehicle.”
The report said the officer “wisely” chose not to pursue the BMW driver as she sped away.
“Her conduct had made it clear that she would not stop for police and was prepared to place public safety in jeopardy to get away. On this record, it is apparent that (she) alone is responsible for the collision with the Impala.”
The Special Investigations Unit is a civilian law enforcement agency that investigates incidents involving an official where there has been death, serious injury, the discharge of a firearm at a person or an allegation of sexual assault.
Share this article in your social network