Photo entered as evidence in the SIU report for Case # 20-OVI-328. (Photo courtesy of the SIU)Photo entered as evidence in the SIU report for Case # 20-OVI-328. (Photo courtesy of the SIU)
Chatham

CK police cleared of wrongdoing after high-speed chase ended in serious crash

Ontario's police watchdog has ended an investigation into a police chase near Chatham, which ended when the suspect vehicle crashed.

On the afternoon of November 28, 2020, a Chatham-Kent officer began to pursue the driver of a pick-up truck who was on bail and told not to associate with the female passenger in the vehicle.

The accused's driver's licence was also suspended.

According to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the officer engaged in a high-speed car chase with the pick-up truck which led police onto eastbound Highway 401. The officer sped after the pick-up for around 11 kilometres before the truck crashed on the Kent Bridge Road on-ramp.

The female passenger sustained serious injuries, including ligament damage to her spine.

On Friday, SIU Director Joseph Martino announced no reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed a crime.

"The officer should have discontinued the pursuit due to public safety considerations; however, [Martino] found the officer’s driving was not a marked departure from a reasonable standard of care in the circumstances," a statement from the SIU read.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates incidents involving police that have resulted in death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault.

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