An Ottawa police officer is not responsible for the accident that took two lives last summer, that’s according to the SIU. On July 7, officers spotted a vehicle of interest in a sexual assault complaint and pursued the suspect on Highway 417 west of Ottawa. OPP assisted and officials attempted to block in a Honda Civic driven by a man wanted for questioning in the assault. Attempts were unsuccessful and the driver of the Civic fled police. The OPP called off the chase, however reports indicate the driver crossed the highway, driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes, resulting in an accident that took his life as well as the life of a 62 year old woman driving another vehicle. The collision resulted in serious injuries of two others. According to the Special Investigations Unit, the officer was not driving dangerously, and concludes there are no reasonable grounds to believe the pursuing officer caused or contributed to the fatal crash.
