Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has closed an investigation into the actions of an Ontario Provincial Police officer in a deadly collision on July 3 in Springwater Township.
According to the SIU, an officer travelling north on Crossland Road approached Concession 4 West and clocked a southbound Tesla travelling at 118 km/h.
"Deciding to stop the vehicle for speeding, the officer executed a three-point turn to travel south. By the time she had completed the maneuver, the Tesla was no longer in sight. The 17-year-old male driver of the Tesla continued at speed passing southbound traffic in the northbound lane," the SIU stated in a news release on Friday.
The police watchdog said he lost control of the vehicle in the area of Crossland Road's intersection with the Tiny Flos Townline and travelled into a field where it came to a stop about 500 metres from the road.
The driver was killed, and his 17-year-old female passenger was seriously injured.
The SIU said the officer arrived at the collision scene and radioed for assistance.
"About a minute-and-a-half had elapsed from the moment the officer had turned to pursue the Tesla. At no time does it appear the officer had the Tesla in sight from that point in time," the SIU concluded. "It is evident that the officer did nothing that could conceivably attract criminal liability in connection with the collision. The file has been closed."
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates incidents involving police where death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm has occurred.
