Sunday, June 6, 2004

The Ontario Provincial Police are conducting an investigation into a fatal motor vehicle collision which occurred on the Wikwemikong Unceeded Indian Territory. The incident occurred in the early hours of June 5th, 2004.

The involved vehicle had been stolen from the Town of Espanola earlier that day. Wikwemikong Tribal Police attempted to stop the vehicle and a short pursuit took place. The stolen vehicle, which had six occupants, lost control and rolled into a ditch off Kaboni Road, Wikwemikong.

Jaimie Pangowish, aged 15 years, of Sudbury, Ontario, was a passenger in the stolen vehicle. He died as a result of injuries he received during the rollover. The other five occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, are in the hospital being treated for their injuries.

Police pursuits involving First Nations Police agencies do not fall within the mandate of the province’s Special Investigations Unit. At the request of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police, the Ontario Provincial Police have undertaken an independent investigation into the incident. The investigation is being led by the North East Region, Criminal Investigations Unit.