Officers from the Woodstock Police Service are in the clear after the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) probed an incident that left one man with a serious back injury.

On January 25, 2023, officers were called to Ingersoll Road and Park Row in west Woodstock for an alleged reckless driver. Police say the suspect crashed into multiple vehicles and structures in the area.

The 31-year-old male driver tried to maneuver around a police vehicle, but reportedly lost control and struck another cruiser.

Officers then “forcibly removed” the man from the vehicle, handcuffed him, and took him into custody, according to the SIU. It was later learned in hospital that he had suffered a fractured spine.

The full SIU report suggests the suspect was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

SIU Director Joseph Martino has assessed the evidence and found no reasonable grounds to lay charges against an officer.

The SIU concluded in their statement saying “the file has been closed.”