The province’s police watchdog is investigating after a two-vehicle crash in the city’s east end on Friday left several people injured and one person facing charges.
The collision occurred near Culver Drive and Culver Place around 8:30 p.m., said a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) media release. One of the vehicles involved in the crash had been stopped by London police a short time earlier near the intersection of Third Street and Culver Drive.
A London police officer was approaching the vehicle on foot when it fled down Culver Drive, the SIU said. The officer got back into their cruiser and followed the vehicle. A short time later, the vehicle collided with a second vehicle.
On Monday, police announced they had laid several charges against the first vehicle’s driver.
A 32-year-old London man faces charges including driving while impaired causing bodily harm, flight causing bodily harm while pursued by peace officer, fail to comply with recognizance, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, and driving while disqualified.
A 30-year-old passenger in the vehicle was taken to hospital for treatment of serious injuries, according to the SIU, which invoked its mandate as a result.
Police said on Saturday that several occupants in both vehicles were taken to hospital for injuries. It’s unclear how many occupants were in the second vehicle at the time of the collision.
Two SIU investigators have been assigned to the incident. The agency says it is now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information or video evidence to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529.
The SIU is an arm’s-length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
– With files from Matthew Trevithick