401 reopens after a 12-hour closure following a fatal shooting involving police
SIU now involved after it says an officer discharged firearm
Highway 401 has reopened after it was closed for nearly 12 hours to allow for a criminal investigation led by the Chatham-Kent OPP.
Up until 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, OPP tweeted that westbound lanes remain closed but eastbound lanes have reopened.
Roughly one hour later, Chatham-Kent OPP said the road is now fully open.
CLEARED: ROAD CLOSURE: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hwy401?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hwy401</a> WB at Orford Rd <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Highgate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Highgate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChathamKent?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChathamKent</a>: All lanes REOPENED. ^aw
—@OPP_COMM_WRIn a media release, the province's Special Investigations Unit said that around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Chatham-Kent OPP responded to a call about stolen gas from a gas station. An officer saw the suspected vehicle and while police were pursuing it, the vehicle lost control and rolled into a ditch.
According to the SIU, an officer and a male occupant of the vehicle got into an altercation and the officer discharged their pistol.
The man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Shortly after 5 a.m., Chatham-Kent OPP tweeted out a road closure along Highway 401 between Victoria and Orford roads.
ROAD CLOSURE: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hwy401?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hwy401</a> WB at Orford Rd <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Highgate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Highgate</a>: Roadway closed due to a police investigation. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OPP</a> on scene. ^aw
—@OPP_COMM_WRWednesday, OPP tweeted that Westbound lanes remain closed but Eastbound lanes reopened.
The SIU investigates all cases of death, serious injury or sexual assault involving police in Ontario.
They are asking anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The SIU is also asking anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.