The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into the circumstances surrounding a fatal motor vehicle collision following an attempted traffic stop by Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) officers.

On May 30, 2022, WPS notified the IIU of an incident that occurred that day at 12:45 a.m., when WPS officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop. According to the notification, the suspect vehicle fled from the traffic stop and subsequently struck a tree at 419 Truro St. A male driver and two female passengers were removed from the vehicle. Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) attended and transported all three individuals to Health Sciences Centre. One passenger was subsequently pronounced deceased. The driver of the vehicle and the other passenger sustained serious injuries.

The IIU assumed responsibility for the investigation in accordance with section 66(4) of the Police Services Act. As the matter involved a fatality, a request for a civilian monitor was made to the Manitoba Police Commission.

WPS file information and other material obtained by IIU investigators included:

  • WPS radio transmissions;
  • WPS call history and CAD report;
  • WPS Forensic Identification Services reports and photographs;
  • GPS records related to WPS cruiser involved in the attempted traffic stop;
  • notes and narrative reports from various police officers
  • ;traffic analyst collision report;
  • video footage taken from various locations;
  • WFPS patient care reports;
  • medical reports concerning two affected individuals;
  • pathology report concerning the deceased female passenger;
  • toxicology analysis of the driver; and
  • WPS pursuit policy.

IIU investigators met with and interviewed the two affected people, 11 civilian witnesses, seven members of WFPS and two witness officers. The civilian director found no evidence to support a finding that any WPS officer contributed to the cause of the collision, injuries and death that resulted in any way. Accordingly, there was no evidence to justify the designation of any WPS officer as a subject officer.

As a result, there is no further requirement or need by the IIU to continue with this investigation, and the matter is now closed.

One of the affected people remains before the court on charges arising from the incident. The civilian director’s report will be made available following disposition of those charges.

The details of the investigation were first announced on May 30, 2022.