SIU clears NRP officer in accident

The province’s Special Investigations Unit has found no reasonable grounds to charge a Niagara Regional Police officer who was involved in a motor vehicle accident that injured a 27-year-old man in Niagara Falls.

The accident took place shortly after 10 a.m., on July 7, 2015, on Stanley Avenue at Morrison Street. Both vehicles sustained significant damage.

Six investigators and two forensic investigators were assigned to the incident. The injured man, 11 civilian witnesses and four witness officers were interviewed. The police officer did not participate in an SIU interview and did not provide a copy of his duty notes, as is his legal right.

The investigation found the officer was travelling at a high rate of speed westbound on Morrison Street and was responding to a personal injury motor vehicle collision.

At the intersection, the officer’s car collided with a vehicle travelling northbound on Stanley Avenue. The officer’s car struck a pole that hit the traffic control box for the intersection. That resulted in the traffic light program for that intersection to become disabled and the lights defaulted to a flashing red light in all four directions.

The injured 27-year-old driver of the car was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured left ankle.

“Six independent civilians witnessed the collision or its immediate aftermath. However, when their accounts are compared and contrasted, material inconsistencies become evident,” said SIU Director Tony Loparco.

He noted the colour of the traffic light prior to the accident was an important piece of evidence in

Six independent civilians witnessed the collision or its immediate aftermath. However, when their accounts are compared and contrasted, material inconsistencies become evident.”

this case.

“After reviewing all of the evidence, I am unable to say with any degree of confidence whether the light was green or red. Given the uncertainty that I am faced with on a key piece of evidence, I cannot conclude that reasonable grounds exist to lay a charge of dangerous driving. The outcome of this investigation is that no charges will issue,” said Loparco.

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.