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The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is investigating after a fatal crash in Moose Jaw that occurred in the middle of a police pursuit.
According to a news release from province’s justice ministry, Moose Jaw police received two consecutive calls from an individual reporting that they were being pursued by a silver Honda at around 11:40 p.m. on Nov. 7.
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The caller described the vehicle as “driving erratically” and reported having a prior “physical altercation” with the driver of the Honda.
A Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) officer in a marked police car observed the reported vehicle several minutes later, travelling northbound on Main Street “at what was indicated to be a high rate of speed” and engaged pursuit, the release notes.
Just before 11:50 p.m., the officer reported to dispatch that the vehicle had “crashed.” Paramedics attended, declaring one 31-year-old male passenger deceased at the scene. A second passenger and the vehicle’s driver were transported to hospital.
Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Nov. 8, MJPS notified SIRT of the incident and civilian executive director Gregory Gudelot opened an investigation. Six SIRT investigators have been deployed to conduct the review.
“SIRT’s investigation will examine the actions of police during this incident (and) MJPS will retain responsibility for the investigation into the driver and his actions,” reads the release.
No further information regarding the incident was shared.
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SIRT’s mandate is to independently investigate all incidents involving police officers in which a person suffers serious injury or death, either in police custody or due to the actions of an officer.
The unit is required to release a final report to the public within 90 days of any investigations conclusion, including a timeline of events, a final decision and any potential charges laid as a result of the findings.
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