SIU says Toronto police didn't commit crime in May e-bike crash

Ontario's police watchdog says there's no reasonable grounds to believe a Toronto officer committed a crime after an unmarked police cruiser collided with an e-bike in May.

The crash happenedaround 1:45 a.m. on May 16 near Queen and Niagara streets, police said at the time.

Two officers were on patrol in an unmarked cruiser when they recognized a man on foot who was wanted on an arrest warrant, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU)said in a news release Friday.

As the officers made a three-point turn to follow the man, the cruiser collided with a 28-year-old man, the complainant, who was riding an e-bike.

The man was taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured left knee, the SIU said.

In his report, SIU Director Joseph Martino said the three-point turn appeared to have been made in a controlled manner.

He addedthere is evidence the collision could have been avoided "but for a braking defect on the electric bike and possible impairment on the part of the Complainant."

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police officers in incidents that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.