
Two Durham cops charged criminally in deadly wrong-way chase on Hwy. 401
Two Durham Regional Police officers have been criminally charged after a police chase the wrong way down a stretch of Hwy. 401 ended in a head-on crash that killed four – including an infant and his grandparents.
The Special Investigations Unit revealed Friday that Sgt. Richard Flynn and Const. Brandon Hamilton have been charged with three counts each of criminal negligence causing death and two counts each of criminal negligence causing bodily harm for their alleged roles in the April 2024 crash.
Both officers have been suspended with pay and will be assigned to administrative duties “if and when they’re reinstated,” Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira said during a news conference Friday afternoon.
The Chief said now that the SIU has released its findings, an internal investigation by Durham Regional Police, which will not interfere with the criminal prosecution, will follow.
The deadly pursuit happened after an LCBO theft.
Ontario’s police watchdog Director Joseph Martino said in Friday’s news release he “has reasonable grounds” to believe the officers committed criminal offences in relation to the April 29 crash.
The officers are slated to make their first court appearance on Feb. 13.
“As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation,” the news release said.
Similarly, Moreira said on Friday that he would not be making any comments that may be perceived to have any impact on that process.
“The fact remains that regardless of the results of the SIU investigation, this was a tragic and catastrophic event that resulted in the death of innocent lives, devastated a family and has profoundly impacted our community. A community that also includes every member of the Durham Regional Police Service,” the chief said.
The charges come after a nine-month probe by the SIU into the actions of the officers – one of whom is believed to be a 34-year veteran, while the other has served for four years – who faced immense scrutiny for starting the wrong-way pursuit that involved at least six cop cars on the major highway following the robbery.
Jack’s Note: This is a case of the SIU Director covering his sorry ass. He should be removed from his position.
To add to this. I’ve been a front line police officer for over 42 years and I’ve seen this movie many times. Those officers were doing what they were trained to do and regardless of whether the pursuit was halted the result would have been exactly the same. I would have reacted precisely the same way because the officers had no other choice that I can see and I’m certain the judge will feel the same way and toss these charges at the first opportunity. I’ve seen that too, many times.
My View: This is SIU bullshit and the director must lose his job over it. His judgment is highly questionable.