Man, 21, dead in Brantford collision; SIU investigating

A man is dead after a vehicle being pursued by police crashed and burst into flames in Brantford.

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit was called to investigate the police-involved crash Saturday that left a 21-year-old man dead.

The incident began Saturday at about 3 a.m.

In a media release, the SIU says an officer with Brantford police saw two vehicles being driven at high speeds around Dalhousie Street and Clarence Street.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicles. One stopped. One did not.

An Ontario Provincial Police officer later saw the suspect vehicle around Dalhousie Street and Brant Avenue, the release says.

The OPP officer followed the vehicle north on Brant Avenue, but lost it.

Another Brantford officer then observed" the suspect vehicle near Brant Avenue.

In the area of Brant Avenue and Ava Road, the vehicle was involved in a single vehicle crash and burst into flames, SIU says.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three investigators, two forensics investigators and a collision reconstruction specialist were assigned by the SIU.

A Brantford cop is the subject officer. One OPP member and five members of the Branford Police Service are witness officers.

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.

Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com