File photo.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding the death of a man last night in Lavigne.
Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 11:30 p.m. last night, West Nipissing Police received a call regarding a Jeep Cherokee being driven by a man. Officers were sent to locate the driver.
One officer saw the vehicle and tried to follow it. He lost sight of the vehicle soon after.
At approximately 11:45 p.m., an individual called police to report a vehicle had struck a tree at 10570 Hwy 64. It was engulfed in flames.
The driver of the jeep died of his injuries. West Nipissing police then called in the SIU.
The SIU has assigned four investigators, two forensic investigators and one collision reconstructionist to probe the circumstances of the collision.
Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 ext. 2150.
The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, or serious injury.
Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation and depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
Highway 64S from Highway 17 to Highway 535 is now open in both directions.
