An officer with the Chatham-Kent Police Service is facing even more legal trouble following an incident involving a vehicle earlier this month.
Around 7 p.m. on January 9, police and paramedics responded to a residence in Chatham to assist an injured man. The 40-year-old was transported to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and admitted for medical attention.
Through investigation, police learned that an officer who is currently on medical leave may have been the driver of the vehicle that caused the man's injuries.
To ensure the investigation into the incident remained impartial, the Chatham-Kent Police Service requested assistance from the Windsor Police Service. As a result, Windsor Police took over the investigation.
On Monday morning, Constable Cristelle VandenEnden was arrested by members of the Windsor Police Service and charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and criminal negligence causing bodily harm. She was held in custody pending a bail hearing and remanded until Tuesday afternoon.
VandenEnden was previously arrested and charged with fraud and other offences in May of 2020 following an investigation dating back to December of 2019.
More recently, VandenEnden was charged with breaching her release conditions just days after being arrested and charged by Ontario Provincial Police officers in Leamington on January 6, 2021.
In August 2020, VandenEnden was also arrested and charged with drug possession, but that charge was set to be withdrawn if she is eligible for and completes a program called Direct Accountability.
The man who was injured has since been released from the hospital.
According to a spokesperson for the Chatham-Kent Police Service, no further information on the matter will be released in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and the court process along with pending Police Services Act investigation.
-With files from Paul Pedro