SIU investigating fatal motorcycle crash in Welland

A fatal collision involving a motorcycle in Welland on Friday afternoon is being investigated by the province’s Special Investigations Unit.

The arm’s length agency has been called in to probe the crash that occurred after a short police pursuit.

Around noon, a Niagara Regional Police officer was travelling westbound on Woodlawn Road when he noticed a motorcycle heading east on the same road at a high rate of speed, says a news release issued by the SIU late Friday afternoon.

The officer made a U-turn and began following the motorcycle.

At Woodlawn and River roads, the motorcycle became involved in a collision with a civilian vehicle and the motorcycle driver died of his injuries at the scene.

Three investigators and another two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case, says the SIU.

A post-mortem exam is scheduled for Saturday morning in Hamilton.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault.

The agency will consider whether the officer committed a criminal offence in connection to the incident and if it is appropriate to lay charges against the officer.

Police, Niagara Emergency Medical Services and Welland Fire and Emergency Services firefighters were called to the crash.

Anyone who may have information about this investigation is urged to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The SIU is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.