Niagara Falls woman, 40, killed during pursuit; Canadian officials ‘not taking situation lightly’
By Kelly Putter, The Toronto Star
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont.—The actions of U.S. police officers are now under scrutiny by their Canadian counterparts, who are investigating the events that led to the death of a 40-year-old Niagara Falls woman.
The cross-border police chase this week has angered customs officials and Ontario’s community safety minister and raised concerns in Ottawa about the violation of sovereignty.
Niagara Regional Police said three of four U.S. police cruisers sped by Canadian customs without stopping Wednesday night while pursuing a man they believed was armed and dangerous and responsible for two carjackings and the forcible confinement of an ex-girlfriend.
“Under the circumstances, there was no wrongdoing on our officers’ part and the superintendent stands behind them,” said John Demarco, deputy chief of the Niagara Falls (N.Y.) Police Department. “The one cruiser was told to inform customs of what’s going on.”
Demarco said officers in the three cruisers returned as soon as they could and explained themselves.
How far the police cars travelled, and their role in the accident that claimed the life of Laurie Bishop, will be investigated by Niagara Regional Police.
“The investigation will determine what violations have been committed and if they committed any breaches of laws,” said Niagara Regional Police Constable Rick Geady.
The chase began at the U.S. end of the bridge, when a police officer spotted the suspected carjacked vehicle, a pickup truck, idling in line.
As the sirens began to wail, the pickup took off and rammed though a border barricade with three police cars in pursuit. According to a police statement, officers believed traffic at the border would provide a chance for a safe arrest. But the pickup barrelled through another barricade into Canada.
Niagara Falls, N.Y., police, said their officers then asked for further instruction and were immediately called back.
Because of the physical layout of the streets, the officers had to “loop around” to get back to the Rainbow Bridge, Demarco said. The officers were about 750 metres behind the pickup when the truck struck Bishop as she was getting out of her car.
According to the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, the fleeing truck, which also struck two parked vehicles before hitting Bishop, passed through customs at a speed of 50 km/h.
Reynald Doiron, spokesperson for the foreign affairs department, said U.S. police are not authorized to come into Canada without checking in and have no right to continue a pursuit. “The same policy applies on either side.”
Doiron said an official report on the incident is expected early next week.
Ontario’s Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter said his government intends to work with federal and U.S. officials to investigate the incident. Police officers from other provinces aren’t even allowed to bring their weapons into Ontario, he said.
“It is a citizen of Ontario who was killed and it is totally, totally inexcusable that something like that should happen and we will certainly look into it ... I find it very offensive.”
Cornelius Cross, charged with impaired driving causing death, attempted murder, two counts of stolen property as well as three firearm offences, appeared in court in St. Catharines yesterday and will remain in custody until his next appearance on Feb. 27.