OPP lay charges in Hwy. 401 crash that led to SIU investigation

An Ontario Provincial Police crest is pictured on an officer's uniform. (Supplied)

Ontario Provincial Police say charges have been laid in connection with a stolen vehicle investigation that led to the province’s police watchdog getting involved.

Officers from the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SD&G) Detachment of the OPP received an alert shortly after 10:30 a.m. Thursday about a stolen vehicle travelling eastbound on Highway 401 near Cornwall.

Police say officers tried to stop the driver using a spike belt, but the driver kept going and later rolled into a ditch near the 4th Line Road exit, where he suffered serious injuries.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) invoked its mandate to investigate the conduct of the officers, as it does whenever police are involved in an incident that leads to serious injury, death, sexual assault, and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

On Monday, the OPP said an 18-year-old man from Longueuil, Que. was charged with dangerous driving, flight from a peace officer, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and trafficking stolen goods over $5,000.

The accused was scheduled to appear in court in Cornwall for a bail hearing Monday.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php