Ontario’s police watchdog says it is investigating a collision in Whitby involving a stolen Durham Regional Police cruiser Sunday night.
The Special Investigation’s Unit (SIU) said Durham police were originally called to a storage facility on Victoria Street in Whitby for reports of a suspicious person just after 7:10 p.m.
While officers were searching the area, the agency said a person stole a cruiser and fled the scene. Police then began to follow them.
At around 7:30 p.m., the SIU said the stolen cruiser was involved in a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Garden Street and Dundas Street East.
Video from the aftermath of the crash appears to show a white SUV engulfed in flames while the stolen cruiser is stopped a short distance away by the edge of the roadside.
The SIU said a 69-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy, who were in the other vehicle involved, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A 30-year-old man, who the SIU said was driving the stolen cruiser, was arrested and taken to hospital for serious injuries as well.
In an update Monday afternoon, police said Jesse Johnson, of Sarnia was charged with numerous offences including breaking and entering with intent, two counts of dangerous operation causing bodily harm and theft over $5,000.
He was held for a bail hearing.
The investigation is ongoing.
The SIU is an independent agency that investigates incidents involving police that have resulted in death, serious injury or alleged sexual assault.