Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has determined there is no reasonable grounds to believe a Belleville Police officer committed a criminal offence in a high-speed chase and collision from this past winter that resulted in serious injuries.
On the night of February 1, officers were on the lookout for a Dodge Charger after receiving a report of a suspected impaired driver.
An officer tried to stop the driver, who fled and continued speeding, going through stop signs and red lights.
The three kilometre pursuit ended when the driver lost control on George Street and hit a pole. The 44-year-old man behind the wheel was taken to hospital and treated for clavicle, neck and rib fractures.
SIU director Joseph Martino noted in his report the officer’s driving and decision-making during the pursuit were subject to legitimate scrutiny as he drove for periods at significant speeds, at times about twice the speed limit on wet and snowy roads.
However, he stated he was unable to reasonably conclude based on the full evidence that the officer’s driving amounted to a marked departure from the standard of care.
