SIU probing OPP case that triggered major police response, road closure in north London
Incident began as disturbance call at Lucan Biddulph home, provincial police say
The province's police watchdog has invoked its mandate after a male suspect was hospitalized Saturday night after he became unresponsive during an incident in London's north end.
A small army of police vehicles descended upon a stretch of Richmond Street near Jacksway Crescent shortly after 9:30 p.m., just outside of CF Masonville Place.
The investigation led to Richmond Street being closed south of Fanshawe Park Road overnight and into Sunday afternoon for reasons that remain murky.
In a statement Sunday afternoon, provincial police said they had been called to an address on Butler Street in Lucan around 9 p.m. for reports of a domestic disturbance.
Police said a man fled the scene when officers arrived, striking two cruisers and driving toward London.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said on Monday that the vehicle, a black Ford Focus sedan, entered London, and police attempted to stop it, including with the use of a spike belt.
"When a police vehicle made contact with the Focus, the Focus spun out of control and struck another vehicle," an agency spokesperson said by email.
"The 18-year-old male driver attempted to flee on foot."
The SIU says two officers used conducted energy weapons on the suspect, who was apprehended and taken to hospital.
In their statement, provincial police said that the male became unresponsive during the interaction with police.
"Officers administered first aid, and the male was transported to a local hospital," they said.
The man's condition was not provided, and OPP directed all further inquiries to the SIU.
The independent government agency investigates police conduct that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
At the scene on Sunday, investigative attention was focused in part around a black Ford Focus on the grassy boulevard on the eastern side of Richmond Street.
The SIU says it has assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to the case.