The province's police watchdog has cleared an Oxford OPP officer of any wrongdoing in a traffic stop that ended in a crash on Hwy. 401.
The Special Investigations Unit sent six investigators and two forensic investigators to look into the November 19, 2015 crash west of Sweaburg Rd.
Investigators determined the officer pull an eastbound Toyota Corolla over for speeding just before midnight. While the officer pulled off on the south shoulder, the Corolla pulled off onto the north shoulder. After being stopped for a brief period the driver tried to move the vehicle to the south shoulder, crossing into the path of two other vehicles. An 18-year-old female passenger was seriously injured in the crash.
In a written statement, Acting Director of the SIU Joseph Martino said “the subject officer was acting lawfully when he attempted to pull the Corolla over for speeding. Thereafter, I am satisfied the officer did what he could to ensure the stop was executed in a safe manner."
Martino went on to say it was the duty of the Corolla driver to make sure it was safe to cross the highway before doing so.
"She fell short in that duty by failing to keep a proper lookout and performing a dangerous maneuver into live lanes of traffic. In the circumstances, the accident occurring shortly after the Corolla came to a stop on the north shoulder, it appears there was little if anything the subject officer could have done to prevent the collision," writes Martino.
No criminal charges will be laid against the officers involved in this incident.
The SIU investigates whenever a civilian is injured or killed during interactions with police.
