Simcoe collision involving OPP cruiser injures two

J.P. Antonacci

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ontario’s police watchdog has little to say so far about a crash between an OPP cruiser and a sport utility vehicle in Simcoe on Wednesday afternoon (April 15) that sent a 77-year-old to hospital.

Three investigators and two forensic investigators from the Special Investigations Unit are looking into the crash.

The SIU is an independent agency that reviews incidents involving police in which members of the public are seriously injured or killed.

In a media release on Thursday, SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon said the crash happened around 1:30 p.m. when an officer on Norfolk Street North “en route to a call” hit a Honda CRV driven by a 77-year-old woman at the intersection of Riverside Road.

The woman was taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to Hamilton General Hospital with serious injuries.

The officer was treated in a local hospital for minor injuries, said Norfolk County OPP, otherwise referring all inquiries to the SIU. Hudon had no further update when reached by The Spectator on Thursday.

It remains unclear whether the police car had its emergency lights or sirens activated at the time of the crash, or whether the SUV was turning into traffic.

Hudon also did not comment on the condition of the two people injured.

The SIU asks anyone with information about this incident - including video footage or photos - to contact investigators at 1-800-787-8529 or through siu.on.ca.

- J.P. Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.