The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating a crash involving a vehicle that fled from police and struck a pole in Ottawa’s east end, leaving the driver with life-threatening injuries.
The incident occurred Thursday evening around 6:20 p.m. when an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer tried to stop a black car for speeding on Highway 417. The driver failed to stop, and shortly afterward, crashed into a pole on Star Top Road.
The 35-year-old driver, along with a 22-year-old female passenger, were both hospitalized with serious injuries. The driver remains in critical, life-threatening condition.
Video footage sent to CTV News Ottawa showed the vehicle speeding on Star Top Road before colliding with a truck making a left turn, causing the truck to flip over. The car then crashed into the pole. A photo posted on social media showed the car heavily damaged after the impact.
The OPP confirmed the vehicle was traveling at high speed when it crashed. Police have not released further details, as the SIU continues to investigate, with three investigators and two forensic experts assigned to the case.
Star Top Road was closed for more than 12 hours between Innes and Algoma Roads while authorities worked at the scene.