Two Durham cops have been charged in reference to a multi-vehicle collision final spring that killed 4 individuals, together with two grandparents and their toddler grandchild, following a police chase of a suspect driving the improper manner on Canada’s busiest freeway, Ontario’s police watchdog says.
Sgt. Richard Flynn and Const. Brandon Hamilton have been charged with three counts every of prison negligence inflicting loss of life and two counts every of prison negligence inflicting bodily hurt, the Particular Investigations Unit mentioned in a information launch Friday.
Each officers are required to look earlier than the Ontario Courtroom of Justice in Oshawa on Feb. 13.
WATCH | What we all know concerning the van concerned within the lethal crash:
‘No justification’ for wrong-way freeway police chase, skilled says
Specialists are questioning the police’s choice to pursue an alleged theft suspect who drove the improper manner down Canada’s busiest freeway, leading to a lethal crash.
The SIU says it’s not offering additional touch upon the investigation because the matter is earlier than the courts.
Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira advised reporters Friday afternoon that each officers had been suspended with pay, following the SIU charges. He mentioned the officers could be assigned to administrative duties “if and when” they’re reinstated.
The Durham Regional Police Service is now required by legislation to supervise an inside investigation of the conduct of DRPS members concerned within the incident and an examination of police inside procedures, he mentioned.
Moreira mentioned he revered the SIU’s course of and would now go away it to the justice system to find out whether or not the officers are criminally chargeable for their actions in the course of the police pursuit.
“We should guard towards arriving at conclusions earlier than all of the proof has been introduced,” he mentioned. “We owe this not simply to the household of the deceased, but in addition to the officers who’re concerned.”
WATCH | Durham police chief addresses media after 2 officers charged with negligence: 
Deadly Hwy. 401 wrong-way crash was ‘tragic, catastrophic event,’ police say
Durham police say they’ve charged two officers in connection to a deadly multi-vehicle collision alongside Freeway 401 final April. Talking to media on Friday, Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira says the incident has “profoundly” impacted the neighborhood.
Moreira mentioned he has reached out to the household of the grandparents and toddler little one who died within the collision to additional categorical his condolences.
“Whatever the outcomes of the SIU investigation, this was a tragic and catastrophic occasion that resulted within the loss of life of harmless lives, devastated the household and has profoundly impacted our neighborhood,” he mentioned.
A high-speed pursuit into oncoming visitors
The fees stem from the crash on April 29, 2024 in Whitby, Ont., by which cops selected to pursue a liquor retailer theft suspect driving the improper manner on Freeway 401.
Two grandparents, visiting from India, and their toddler grandchild have been among the many 4 individuals killed. The dad and mom of the kid have been injured within the collision, however survived.
The 21-year-old driver of the cargo van police have been pursuing additionally died within the collision. The passenger of the van, Manpreet Gill, was not charged in reference to the deaths, however pleaded responsible to 3 separate charges final month, together with theft below $5,000.
The SIU mentioned final 12 months its investigation targeted on two cops and whether or not it was essential for Durham police to pursue the cargo van because it drove the improper manner down the busy freeway.
In June, the SIU supplied an replace saying the 2 officers below investigation had not agreed to be interviewed or to supply their obligation notes, as is allowed below Ontario’s Police Providers Act.
In August, the watchdog, which is required to finish investigations inside 120 days, determined to increase its investigation, citing the massive quantity of proof being reviewed.
The SIU is an impartial authorities company that investigates the conduct of cops which will have resulted in loss of life, harm or the discharge of a firearm, or led to allegations of sexual assault.
