The province's police watchdog found no criminal wrongdoing by Saugeen Shores Police in a November collision that resulted in serious injuries for two people.
On November 2, 2023, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was notified of an incident that resulted in a 20-year-old man and 18-year-old woman being hospitalized.
According to the investigation, a SSP officer attempted to stop the driver of a Honda Civic after he noticed the windshield was damaged. The driver then sped off, turning east on Concession 14. The officer pursued for a short while, before disengaging.
When the roadway became a farmer’s access road, the driver lost control of the vehicle, entered the northside ditch and slammed head-on into the trunk of a tree.
As the vehicle had been pursued by an officer moments before the collision, the SIU investigated. However, Director Joseph Martino found no grounds for criminal charges.
"Once it was clear he was not going to catch the Honda, the subject official (SO) wisely deactivated his emergency lights and discontinued pursuit," wrote Martino. "Nor is there any evidence to suggest that the SO played a causal role in the collision. Aside from being the impetus for the Complainant’s dangerous driving, he was well back of the Honda when it entered a ditch and struck a tree. Thereafter, the SO acted promptly to render aid and secure medical assistance for the Honda’s occupants."