SIU investigating Hamilton collision involving stolen vehicle, one man in hospital

Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating following a car chase in central Hamilton that sent a man to hospital with serious injuries.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said Hamilton police attempted to stop the driver of a stolen vehicle on Aikman Avenue at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday.

Investigators say the driver did not stop for police and ended up hitting a taxi and crashing into a home on the corner of Sanford Avenue South.

The driver of the fleeing vehicle is a 34-year-old man who was arrested shortly after the accident and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The taxi driver was not seriously injured.

“Yeah I was awake and I kind of heard the sound of a crash, and the whole house shook,” said Maggie Torres, a resident of the house the car crashed into.

Damages to the house include marks to the house’s foundation, damaged brickwork, and a hole in the porch.

The homeowner told CHCH News they’re going to have to call insurance to get it fixed.

“I stood up, then I heard the police yelling at someone to get out of their car with their hands up, and I actually just went upstairs to check on my son – I didn’t know if something was gonna happen,” said Torres. “I didn’t know if someone was gonna jump out of there and come flying through the window.”

Sanford Avenue South has reopened several hours after officers closed the area between Main Street and Aikman Avenue.

Police ask residents to avoid the area and to use alternate routes.

The SIU investigates when police or officials are involved serious injuries, allegations of sexual assault, firearm discharges at people and deaths.

So far, officials have not announced any charges and the SIU is appealing for anyone who may have seen the incident unfold to contact their office.

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