The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) of Manitoba has concluded its investigation into a serious injury that was a result of a motor vehicle pursuit that occurred in September of 2022.

On Sept. 2, 2022, the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) notified the IIU of an incident in Roseau River First Nation involving a motor vehicle pursuit that resulted in an adult male sustaining a serious injury. A MFNPS officer attempted to stop the vehicle due to a report of a disturbance, hit and run and possible impaired driving. The driver of the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed, lost control, and crashed into a ditch. The driver sustained a broken ankle as a result of the crash.

Facts and circumstances:

  • The affected person declined to participate in the IIU investigation.
  • Two civilian witnesses, who were EMS personnel, responded to the incident. They provided medical attention to the affected person and transported him to hospital. The first witness mentioned that several people were present at the scene. However, IIU investigators were not able to identify and locate them. A third civilian witness observed a police vehicle pursuing a black car and witnessed the crash.
  • A witness officer, a police officer with MFNPS, attempted to stop the affected person’s vehicle after receiving a report of a disturbance, hit and run and possible impaired driving. When located, the affected person fled at high speed. The officer activated his emergency lights, but did not use sirens during the pursuit. The affected person lost control of the vehicle, crashed into a ditch, and sustained a broken ankle.
  • Surveillance videos captured the incident. The police vehicle was approximately six to nine seconds behind the affected person’s vehicle, with its emergency lights activated during the pursuit.
  • The IIU attempted to obtain the affected person’s medical information regarding his injuries but did not receive a response.

After a thorough investigation, the IIU concluded that the witness officer acted lawfully within his authority as a police officer during the motor vehicle pursuit. The affected person bears sole responsibility for the incident, as he chose to drive at high speed and lost control, resulting in his serious injury. The evidence does not support the designation of the police officer as a subject officer, and there is no indication that the officer’s actions contributed to or caused the affected person’s injury.

Therefore, the matter is now closed and the civilian director’s complete report is available online at www.iiumanitoba.ca.

The details of the investigation were first announced on Sept. 7, 2022.