SIU clears OPP officer after fatal Essex crash

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit determined an OPP officer will not be charged after a 19-year-old pedestrian was struck by a police cruiser.

SIU Director Joseph Martino said there were no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the woman’s death.

On Nov. 2, 2025, an OPP officer was travelling west on County Road 20 East, heading to the OPP detachment in Essex.

The SIU report says east of Iler Road, a woman moved out onto the westbound lane from the northside ditch. The officer steered his cruiser to the right but was unable to avoid contact. The front of his vehicle struck the woman.

The officer exited his cruiser and began to administer emergency first-aid. Additional officers arrived on scene, as did paramedics.

The 19-year-old woman was transported to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The Harrow woman was identified as Mendy Goossen by her family.

The full director’s report is posted online.