New details are beginning to emerge surrounding a crash that sent four people to hospital with serious injuries in the city’s south end on New Year's Day.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) took over the case after the driver allegedly fled from Barrie police the night of Jan. 1 and struck a cement pole on Yonge Street, north of Big Bay Point Road.
Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for the SIU, told BarrieToday via email that there were two males and two females — between the ages of 15 to 19 years old — in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
No additional information has been released, including their places of residence or an update on their conditions.
“The SIU continues to seek any one who may have witnessed the collision or the events prior to it, to please contact us,” Denette said.
On Jan. 6, Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday that no charges had been laid in relation to the crash.
Today (Jan. 11), Leon confirmed that he’s not been advised of any developments in the police investigation.
According to preliminary information collected by investigators, Barrie police officers were on patrol in a marked SUV on Jan. 1 at approximately 8:30 p.m. when they spotted the driver of a silver car speeding on Yonge Street at Mapleview Drive East.
“The car fled northbound on Yonge Street before it crashed into a cement pole at Yonge Street north of Big Bay Point Road. Paramedics were called to the scene and all four people in the car were taken to hospital,” stated the release. “Investigators are seeking any witnesses or dash-cam footage of the silver car fleeing Barrie Police Service officers before it crashed into (the) hydro pole and seriously injured four people…”
Three investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. One subject official and two witness officials have also been designated at this time.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online by clicking here.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians.
