UPDATE:
Three investigators and two forensic investigators from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) have been assigned to determine what led to the death of a man who fled Orillia OPP earlier this morning.
According to a news release, the SIU is investigating the circumstances surrounding a collision that occurred this morning in Oro Station, resulting in the death of a man presumed to be in his 40s.
Preliminary information suggests the following:
- At approximately 4 a.m. on April 19, 2022, a break-and-enter in Huntsville resulted in provincial police efforts to locate two individuals of interest.
- In the area of 7 Line North and Sideroad 15 & 16 West, police officers were able to stop the individuals who were in a vehicle.
- Officers arrested one of the occupants, but the other entered a police vehicle and drove away.
- Shortly after 6 a.m., on Sideroad 15 & 16 West, just west of 7 Line North, the vehicle rolled over. The driver of this vehicle was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have witnessed the roll-over of a police sedan shortly after 6 a.m. in Oro Station to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations
ORIGINAL STORY:
A wild pursuit ended tragically early this morning when a man was killed after fleeing from the Orillia OPP.
The incident started at about 2:30 a.m. when OPP officers from the Huntsville detachment were called to a break-and-enter in progress at a Huntsville store.
Once officers arrived on the scene, two males fled in a vehicle and refused to heed calls from police to stop.
The suspects took off down Highway 11 south to Orillia. That's when Orillia OPP got involved and put a spike belt across the highway in an attempt to stop the speeding vehicle.
The ploy worked. However, the two suspects fled on foot and stole a second vehicle they found nearby - in a wooded area near Nichols Line.
Police were able to stop the stolen vehicle and take one suspect into custody.
However, the second male stole another vehicle - reportedly an OPP cruiser - and fled the scene. However, he crashed that vehicle, which rolled over, say police.
Paramedics transported the male to Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Because the OPP was involved in this incident and the man died, the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was informed and they have invoked their mandate.
As a result, the OPP will not be able to provide any further information.
A media spokesperson for the SIU told OrilliaMatters she could not provide any further information as information was still being gathered, but said a media release would be issued later today.
