Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after a 22-year-old man, who is facing over a dozen charges, was injured during an incident involving London Police.
It started on Sunday when police received multiple reports of a suspected impaired driver. According to police, a four-door car was allegedly seen driving erratically in London's southwest-end.
While the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, a citizen observed the driver asleep at the wheel. The citizen approached the car and knocked at the window, at which point the driver woke up and allegedly sped through a red light while continuing to drive erratically, almost hitting a man on a bicycle in the area of Wharncliffe Road and Baseline Road West.
Police were able to locate the vehicle on Tecumseh Avenue West, while it was stopped on the side of the road and facing the wrong direction. The driver was once again asleep behind the wheel and was ultimately arrested by the officers.
While searching the car, police allegedly found a loaded .40 calibre handgun, Oxytocin and liquid codeine.
According to police, the suspect gave officers a false name at first, however, police were able to confirm his identity and determined that he was a prohibited driver.
The suspect told police that he had sustained an injury. He was transported to the hospital and eventually released. As a result, The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was notified and has invoked its mandate.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates incidents involving police officers where there has been death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault.
During the arrest, three police officers sustained minor injuries. Damage to the police cruisers is estimated to be approximately $150.
As a result of the investigation 22-year-old Dylan Crawford, of London, is facing multiple charges including:
-Impaired operation of a conveyance
-Fail to comply with demand made by police officer
-Dangerous operation
-Mischief under $5,000
-Resist arrest
-Public mischief divert suspicion from self or cause another to be suspected
-Operation while prohibited
-Two counts of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
-Possess restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence and registration certificate
-Possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon or prohibited device knowing no authority unauthorized
-Occupy motor vehicle with firearm
-Possess loaded/unloaded regulated firearm
-Two counts of possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
-Two counts of breach of probation
-Two counts of possession of a Schedule I substance
None of the charges have been proven in court. Crawford is scheduled to appear in a London court on Monday.