Niagara cop charged with impaired driving after police chase, crash

A Niagara police constable has been charged Thursday following a brief car chase in Niagara-on-the-Lake while they were impaired, that led to a serious crash with another vehicle.

Officers responded to reports of an impaired driver in the town at around 8:20 p.m., and located a Grey Dodge Ram Pick-up Truck in the area of Glendale Avenue and Taylor Road.

Investigators attempted to conduct a traffic stop at 8:46 p.m., but the driver did not comply and continued operating the vehicle.

Police pursued the vehicle, as it was demonstrating signs of being operated by an impaired driver.

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Minutes later, they stopped chasing the driver on York Road near Townline Road, as they say the driver began operating in a reckless manner that they determined to be a risk to public safety.

At 8:51 p.m., officers responded to a crash on York Road near Four Mile Creek Road, and upon arrival it was determined that the suspect vehicle had become involved in a collision with a second vehicle.

Detectives arrested a male for impaired operation at the scene, and transported him to an out-of-region hospital for serious injuries.

They say there were no other injuries as a result of the collision.

Niagara Region Police Service (NRPS) Const. Paul-Andre Seguin was charged with offences including flight from a peace officer, refusing to comply with a demand regarding alcohol and dangerous operation of a vehicle.

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Seguin was released on a Form 10 Undertaking with a future court date.

The 54-year-old man from Fort Erie has been a police officer with the NRPS for 21 years, and has been suspended with pay pending an investigation.

Ontario’s police watchdog has invoked their mandate due to the injuries that were sustained in the collision.

The Special Investigations Unit is a civilian law enforcement agency that investigates incidents involving police officers where there has been a serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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