Vehicle that failed to stop for OPP officers crashes into truck, pole in Ottawa’s east end: SIU

Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after a vehicle fleeing police struck a truck and a pole in Ottawa’s east end, leaving the driver with life-threatening injuries.

Star Top Road was closed between Innes Road and Algoma Road for more than 12 hours following the collision Thursday evening.

The Special Investigations Unit said, at approximately 6:20 p.m. Thursday, an Ontario Provincial Police officer attempted to stop the driver of a black car for speeding on Highway 417.

“The driver failed to stop,” the SIU said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa Friday morning.

“A short time later, the driver of the car struck a pole on Star Top Road.”

The SIU said Friday evening that “based on a review of video evidence, the driver collided into a truck then hit the pole.”

Video sent to CTV News Ottawa showed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed on Star Top Road, then crashing into a truck that was making a left-hand turn. The truck ended up on its side and the vehicle crashed into a pole.

The 35-year-old man driving the vehicle and a 22-year-old female passenger were transported to hospital with serious injuries. The SIU said the man remains in hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.

A photo posted on social media by OnScene Photography-Ottawa showed a badly damaged vehicle that crashed into a pole.

Ontario Provincial Police released a statement Friday afternoon, saying officers on general patrol on Hwy. 417 observed a vehicle travelling “at a high rate of speed.”

“Shortly after, the vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle collision on Star Top Road,” the OPP said. “Two vehicle occupants were transported to local hospital.”

Police said they will not be able to provide any further information while the SIU investigates.

The SIU has assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to the case.