The death of a London woman who was hit by a stolen pick-up truck is no longer being investigated by Ontario's police watchdog.
The Special Investigations Unit announced Tuesday that it is dropping its investigation into the events leading up to the death of 32-year-old Christina Smith. She died February 8 after trying to stop a man from stealing a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado from a driveway near Moffatt Ave. and Vancouver St.
Bradley James Hill, 31, is charged with manslaughter and robbery.
The SIU launched its investigation because, prior to the theft of the Silverado and the death of Christina Smith, police had observed another stolen pickup truck in the area of Hamilton Rd. and Egerton St. It's alleged Hill was driving that stolen pickup. When police tried to stop it, the driver did not stop and later abandoned the truck near Moffatt Ave. and Vancouver St.
However, SIU Director Tony Loparco says investigators determined London police officers were not at the scene when the stolen Silverado hit Christine Smith.
“It is clear that no police officer was present at the time this tragic incident occurred. Accordingly, I have terminated the investigation,” Loparco said in a statement issued Tuesday.