The Province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has Released Reports in Two Recently Concluded Investigations.

The first relates to an attempted stop by the RCMP that ended with a crash of a motor vehicle resulting in the death of the driver.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, a member of the RCMP stationed at Lunenburg County Detachment, was driving northbound on Cornwall Road in Blockhouse, Lunenburg County.  He observed a small car driving southbound at excessive speed.  As the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, it sped away.  Approximately two kilometres later it crashed into the ditch and trees on the left side of the road.  The driver, and lone occupant, a 23-year-old Lunenburg County man, was deceased at the scene.

The investigation found the incident covered approximately two kilometres and lasted less than two minutes. The police vehicle was well behind the small car at the time of the accident. The car was estimated to be travelling at a minimum of 130 km/h when it left the road, as the driver was attempting to pass another vehicle. The driver had recently suffered from some mental health issues, which may have affected him that day causing him to feel panicked by the situation.

The officer’s actions were appropriate in the circumstances, and there are no grounds to consider charges in the matter.

The second report relates to a sexual assault charge against Cst. Dennis Kelsey of the Halifax Regional Police, laid on September 11, 2103. SiRT previously issued a media release respecting that case at the time charges were laid.

The full reports are 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.

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