Update: Roadway reopened – Kingston Police close section of Battersea Road for investigation
Editorial note: This article has been updated from its original version, which was published at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday, Jul. 20, 2023. Please see bottom of article for updated information.
The stretch of Battersea Road from Thomson Crescent to Kingston Mills Road was closed at approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jul. 20, 2023, by Kingston Police.
Police announced the road closure on social media, indicating that the closure is due to a police investigation.
“Motorists are asked to avoid the area but may detour around Thompson Cr if necessary,” Kingston Police said on Twitter at exactly 10 a.m.
In response to Kingstonist inquiries, police said there is no risk to public safety, and that the estimated length of this road closure and investigation is unknown at this time. Kingston Police would not say what the investigation is regarding, however, a number of detectives are visible on the scene, which appears to centre around a City of Kingston garbage truck.
At 11:30 a.m., the City of Kingston said that the City garbage truck was not involved in the incident, but that the driver of the truck was a witness to the incident. The City then deferred all questions on this matter to Kingston Police.
This is a developing story. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Update (Thursday, Jul. 20, 2023, at 3:30 p.m.):
Kingston Police have now completed their investigation in the area of Battersea Road from Kingston Mills Road to Thompson Crescent, which began this morning just before 10 a.m.
Just before 3:30 p.m., Sgt. Steve Koopman of the Kingston Police confirmed the on-scene investigation had concluded. According to Koopman, the section of Battersea Road that had been closed to traffic was reopened at approximately 2:10 p.m.
“Due to the nature of the incident and that it is an ongoing investigation no further details will be released today,” Koopman said, indicating that the Kingston Police Criminal Investigations Unit is expected to provide updated information to the media tomorrow, Friday, Jul. 21, 2023.
Kingston Police confirmed that the City of Kingston garbage truck was not directly involved in the incident leading to the investigation, as previously stated by the City.
“Lastly, this is an isolated incident with no concern relating to the safety of the general public,” Koopman concluded.
Kingstonist will continue to provide updates on this story as further information becomes available.
Update (Friday, Jul. 21, 2023, at 1:40 p.m.):
Kingston Police have now confirmed that the investigation on Battersea Road was the result of a 44-year-old local man being located deceased alongside the roadway. No foul play is supected in the death, according to police.