Car crash in Burlington sends 2 people to hospital, SIU invokes mandate

Police say two people were taken to hospital following an early-morning crash in Burlington. Sean Leathong reports.

Ontario’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate after two people were injured in a collision in Burlington that involved a vehicle linked to break-and-enters on Tuesday morning.

The crash occurred near Appleby Line and Derry Road.

Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) said they responded to two separate home invasion break-and-enters in Oakville at 3 a.m. and Milton at 4 a.m.

In both instances, the same suspect vehicle was used, police said.

At around 4:20 a.m., the SIU says officers located the vehicle in Burlington in the area of Appleby Line and Number 2 Side Road, and proceeded to follow it.

The agency says not far from that location, near Number 4 Side Road, police deployed a “tire deflation device.”

A short time later, the SIU says the vehicle collided with a hydro pole near Appleby and Britannia Road. Images from the scene show a white car on its side and a knocked-down hydro pole.

Five people inside the car were taken into custody shortly after. Police said two occupants were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the SIU lists the injuries as serious.

Meanwhile, no residents were injured during the break-and-enters, police said.

The circumstances that led to the crash are not immediately known.

On Tuesday afternoon, SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon confirmed that the agency is investigating the crash.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates police conduct that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

Three investigators, two forensic investigators and one collision reconstructionist have been assigned to the case.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529.