No basis for charges in motorcyclist's death at 407/404 interchange: SIU

NEWS RELEASE
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
*************************
In the evening of Sept. 9, 2018, OPP officers were dispatched to the northwest corner of the Highways 407 and 404 interchange following reports of a motorcycle in a ditch. Officers searched for the motorcycle’s operator and any evidence of a collision, but nothing was found. The officers left the scene. Later that night, a motorist reported a person lying on the shoulder of the northbound ramp from eastbound Highway 407 to Highway 404, under the Highway 407 overpass.

Officers responded to the scene and, with the help of an off-duty firefighter, rendered emergency first aid to the man. The man – later determined to be the operator of the motorcycle – was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges in relation to this case.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php. 

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must

• consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
• depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
• report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General. 

**************************