Investigation launched into death of man after Hamilton police officer opened fire: SIU

The SIU is called on to investigate any time someone is killed or injured in an incident involving police in Ontario. (CTV Northern Ontario file)

Ontario's police watchdog is investigating after a man died following an interaction with police in Hamilton.

The Special Investigations Unit says officers responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle in the Mount Hope area shortly after 5:15 p.m. Wednesday.

The SIU says an officer approached a vehicle parked behind the suspicious vehicle, but the driver drove towards the officer.

It says the officer fired his gun at the driver and shortly afterwards the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a wooded area.

The agency says the driver was seriously injured and died in hospital just before 7 p.m.

It says another person who was in the vehicle was taken into custody. That person wasn't hurt.

(The Canadian Press)