SIU clears Thunder Bay Police of wrongdoing in September collision

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit says it has found no evidence to suggest any wrongdoing by Thunder Bay Police in a Labour Day collision that sent two people to hospital.

The collision involved a truck that had previously failed to stop for police after it was found with plates that did not match the vehicle.

According to the SIU, the truck was first spotted on Ogden Street at around 10 a.m. that day.

When police activated their vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens, the truck sped away.

The truck travelled past a stop sign at the corner of Ogden and May Street before entering an alleyway on the other side, with the officer well behind.

The truck later turned onto Finlayson Street and increased its speed as it reached May Street, where it came into collision with a vehicle.

A 54-year-old man who was a passenger in the truck and a 49-year-old woman who was the driver of the other vehicle were seriously injured.

The driver of the truck later fled the scene.

Relying on in-car video from the police vehicle and other data, the SIU determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed any criminal offence related to the collision.

“I am also satisfied that the (officer) comported himself with due regard for public safety through his brief engagement with the (truck),” writes SIU Director Joseph Martino in his report.

“He maintained a safe distance from the vehicle at all times, travelled at moderate speeds, activated his emergency equipment, and quickly discontinued pursuit when it became reasonably clear that the (truck) was not going to stop. At no point was third-party traffic on the roadway imperilled by the officer’s operation of the cruiser.”

The SIU has concluded its investigation.