The province’s independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) today released its report regarding an investigation into a July 16, 2016 motorcycle crash near Waverly Road in Dartmouth following an attempted traffic stop by a member of Halifax Regional Police (HRP).
Shortly prior to 9 p.m. that day, police received word that a person of interest had left the scene of an assault in Dartmouth on a motorcycle. A description of the person was broadcast to police. The individual was seen by a member of HRP who attempted to pull him over as the two were on the ramp leading from Highway 111 to the Waverly Road. However, just as the officer activated his lights and siren, he said the driver looked back at him. The motorcycle then sped off, travelling between two cars stopped at a red light at a very high speed. It quickly went out of control on a turn and crashed into a retaining wall. The 20-year-old driver suffered broken ribs and other injuries. He was arrested by the HRP officer, and taken to hospital for treatment. At the time the driver was prohibited from driving, and later pled guilty to the offence of driving while prohibited.
The driver said he sped off because his throttle stuck, and that he did not see the police. The officer did not have a chance to pursue the motorcycle as the accident happened within seconds of the officer attempting to make the stop. It is clear no action of the officer led to the crash, and that he was acting lawfully in his attempt to stop the motorcycle. Thus there are no grounds to consider any charges against the officer.
A complete copy of the report is available at http://sirt.novascotia.ca.
SIRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia. Investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald, who is solely responsible for decisions respecting the laying of any charge.
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Source: Media Release
