Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has cleared a Toronto police officer of criminal wrongdoing in connection with a crash that left an 18-year-old man seriously injured in Etobicoke.
The collision happened around 10:15 a.m. on April 28 at Kipling Avenue and Albion Road. According to the SIU investigation, the officer was driving north on Kipling when his marked cruiser collided with a Honda travelling west on Albion.
The SIU found that the Honda entered the intersection against a red light, while the police cruiser had a green signal. Investigators also determined the officer was travelling about 25 to 35 km/h over the posted speed limit as he entered the intersection.
The 18-year-old was taken to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where he was intubated and spent time in intensive care. A passenger in the Honda and the officer suffered minor injuries and were also taken to hospital.
Despite the officer’s speed, SIU Director Joseph Martino concluded there was insufficient evidence to support a dangerous-driving charge. He determined the officer’s actions did not amount to a significant departure from the standard of care expected of a reasonable driver.
The investigation found that the Honda’s failure to stop for the red light was the primary cause of the collision. The crash was not connected to a police pursuit.