SIU investigates collision on eastbound Highway 401 off ramp

Ontario’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate and is now investigating an early morning collision that took place on the Palace Road off ramp of the eastbound lanes of Highway 401.

The incident began at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Monday, Apr. 6, 2020, when an officer from the Lennox and Addington Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police was conducting speed enforcement on Highway 401 eastbound near Napanee. The officer observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed and initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. A short time later, the vehicle was involved in a single vehicle collision on the Palace Road off ramp.

One of the three occupants of the vehicle fled the scene, and the other two occupants were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A Canine Unit was called in to locate the third occupant, but that individual remains unaccounted for at this time, according to Greater Napanee Emergency Services.

The OPP notified the SIU of the collision, and SIU is currently investigating. The eastbound Palace Road off ramp remains closed during the investigation.

The SIU is a civilian law enforcement agency which investigates incidents involving police officers where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. The Unit is independent of the police and is at arm’s length to the Ministry of the Attorney General.