Halifax Regional Police Officer not to Blame for Motorcycle Crash

The province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) today released its report regarding an attempted traffic stop of a motorcycle by a Halifax Regional Police (HRP) officer in Dartmouth on June 9, 2014.

Shortly before 11 a.m., an HRP officer observed a motorcycle go through a stop sign without stopping at the corner of Tacoma Dr. and Hartlen Dr. in Dartmouth.  The officer intended to make a traffic stop, and turned on his emergency equipment. The motorcycle then sped away.  Several seconds later it struck an oncoming motor vehicle and then crashed into a power pole on Tacoma Dr.  The 27-year-old driver was injured and taken to hospital by EHS.  He was found to have a broken lower right arm. The officer indicated he had just begun his attempt to stop the motorcycle when it sped off, and the driver of the car the motorcycle struck as well as another civilian witness confirmed the officer’s statements.  The motorcycle driver acknowledged his responsibility for the accident.

The officer was justified in attempting the traffic stop once he saw the motorcycle go through the stop sign. The officer did not pursue the motorcycle, as the accident occurred very quickly.  In the circumstances there are no grounds to consider any charges against the officer.

The full report is available at http://sirt.novascotia.ca.

SIRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia. Investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald, who is solely responsible for decisions respecting the laying of any charge.

Media Contact:

Ronald MacDonald, QC
Serious Incident Response Team
Director
902-424-8400
Cell: 902-718-9707
E-mail: macdonrj@gov.ns.ca