The province’s Special investigations Unit (SIU) has been called in after a man in his 30s was allegedly struck and killed by a vehicle in Clarington Tuesday while running away from police.
Durham Regional Police said in a statement officers were called to a Home Depot in Oshawa at around 5:20 p.m. after a report of shoplifting.
“Two male suspects were identified in connection with the theft of power tools and they were seen driving away at a high rate of speed,” the statement read.
Police found the vehicle travelling east on Taunton Road toward Highway 115. The statement said officers then arrived to arrest the two suspects and during the arrest, one of the suspects was hit by a vehicle travelling south on Highway 115.
Officials said the man, identified as 35-year-old Kevin Kenneth McEachern of Peterborough, died at the scene.
The SIU, an independent enforcement agency that investigates incidents involving police that have resulted in death, serious injury or alleged sexual assault, said seven investigators have been assigned to review the incident.
Anyone with information is being asked to call the SIU’s lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529.