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Officers cleared by SIU in January snowmobile crash in Belwood

A report from the Special Investigations Unit says there is 'no reasonable grounds to believe that the subject officials transgressed the limits of care prescribed by the criminal law'
2021 06 11 SIU Van
File photo

NEWS RELEASE
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
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The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has found no reasonable grounds to believe that two Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injuries suffered by a 21-year-old man in a snowmobile crash in Belwood in January. As OPP officers in a cruiser had briefly attempted to stop him moments before the collision, the SIU was notified and investigated.

On Jan. 22, 2022, officers went across the Wellington Road 26 bridge to check on the status of the man and his snowmobile that was stuck. The man fled and officers pursued him for a matter of seconds before disengaging. The man continued and crashed into a hydro pole.

Director Martino found no reasonable grounds to believe that the subject officials transgressed the limits of care prescribed by the criminal law. The man was solely responsible for the collision and his injuries. The file has been closed.

Full Director’s report (with incident narrative, evidence, and analysis and director’s decision)

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