One person is dead after a stolen pickup truck that was allegedly trying to get away from London police crashed into another vehicle overnight.
Police spotted the stolen white GMC Sierra in the area of King Edward and Russell avenues around 2:20 a.m. on Wednesday. An officer began to follow the truck, which reportedly then sped away at a high rate of speed, according to preliminary information obtained by investigators. The Sierra was later located by officers a short distance away at Adelaide Street South and Thompson Road where it had collided with a Ford F-150 pickup truck.
The driver of the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene. Three people, two men and a woman, took off running from the Sierra. The woman was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. So far, no charges have been laid.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was notified due to the police involvement prior to the crash and has invoked its mandate. Two investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case, the SIU said. Anyone with information about this incident, including those with videos or photos, is asked to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or through the SIU's website at siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
The SIU is an independent government agency that probes all incidents involving police that have resulted in death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault.
The intersection of Adelaide and Thompson was closed throughout the morning as police continued to probe the crash. It was reopened around noon. Thompson Road from Brookside Street to Adelaide remained closed Wednesday afternoon.
Nearby, Princess Elizabeth Public School has been closed to in-person learning for the day as a safety precaution. Students will be able to access independent learning on their classroom’s digital platform, the Thames Valley District School Board said in a statement.
