The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate following a fatal collision involving an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer and a 19-year-old pedestrian early Sunday morning in Essex County. According to a news release from Essex County OPP, at approximately 4:25 a.m. on Sunday, a member from the Essex County Detachment of the OPP was involved in a collision involving a pedestrian on County Road 20 near Iler Road in Harrow, in the Town of Essex. The SIU says the pedestrian, a 19-year-old woman, was transported to hospital by EMS where she was pronounced deceased. In an email, an SIU spokesperson said, “the officer did not appear to be en route to a call for service.” Two investigators, two forensic investigators, and one collision reconstructionist have been assigned to the case. As a result, the SIU has invoked its mandate, and OPP will not be able to provide any further information. 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. The SIU is an independent authority responsible for investigating the conduct of officials, such as police, that resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, or the discharge of a weapon at another person.
