Ontario's police watchdog is investigating after a 55-year-old man arrested for suspected impaired driving died while in the custody of London police.
Police received reports of an impaired driver in the area of Wonderland Road South and Exeter Road at around 9:20 p.m. Thursday. Shortly after, officers found a vehicle in the ditch on Wonderland Road, south of Harry White Drive.
The adult male driver was arrested and while being taken to the cells at police headquarters on Dundas Street the man became unresponsive in the back of the cruiser. An officer performed CPR on the man until paramedics arrived.
The man was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:58 p.m.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been notified of the death and is investigating. Three SIU investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case.
London police are unable to comment about the incident as the SIU has invoked its mandate.
The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or to submit video evidence through the SIU's website.
