NEWS RELEASE
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT (SIU)
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The SIU continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 54-year-old man in King Township on July 24, 2020. On that date, the man was riding a bicycle in King Township when he was struck by a vehicle in the area of Keele Street and Cavell Avenue. Prior to the collision, the vehicle that struck the man was being investigated by a York Regional Police officer.
Yesterday, a positive identification was made by the Office of the Chief Coroner. In accordance with the Special Investigations Unit’s name release policy, which requires consent from next of kin, the unit is now able to identify the man as Daniel Bertini of Richmond Hill.
As of today:
- Three investigators, two forensic investigators and one collision reconstructionist have been assigned to investigate this incident.
- Of the two witness officers designated, one has been interviewed thus far and investigators are in possession of the notes of the other witness officer.
- One subject officer has been designated. He has not yet been interviewed. Pursuant to Ontario Regulation 267/10 of the Police Services Act, subject officers cannot be legally compelled to present themselves for an interview with SIU investigators and they do not have to provide their notes.
- SIU investigators canvassed the area in an attempt to locate evidence and potential witnesses. Seven civilian witnesses were located and interviewed, and video footage was obtained.
- A post-mortem was completed on Sunday in Toronto to determine cause of death.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.
The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must:
- consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
- report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General.
