A $2.4 million lawsuit faces the Strathroy-Caradoc police board along with an unnamed officer following a crash where a woman from London was badly injured following a pursuit aborted by police. Marisa Bucci is seeking $1.5 million in general damages and $500,000 in special damages in connection with a two-car collision back in October of 2020 south of Mt. Brydges. On October 12th a statement of claim was filed in London alleging negligence and breach of statutory duty on the part of the Strathroy-Caradoc police services board and the unnamed officer. The Strathroy-Caradoc police board has not filed a statement of defence in response yet.
This claim alleges, that in a marked police cruiser, the officer started a pursuit of an Audi speeding October 14th, 2020 on Christina Road, after being communicated by dispatch to proceed with the pursuit, then shortly after communicated to the officer to call it off. Once the pursuit ended, the Police officer noticed that the vehicle had collided with another vehicle at Christina Road and Longwoods Road, according to the statement.
In addition to other allegations, the statement of claim from Bucci contends the officer failed to “terminate the pursuit in a timely manner” and should have known the pursuit was a danger to the public.
The statement also claims the Strathroy-Caradoc police services board permitted its employees to engage in a “high speed chase” they knew or ought to have known was dangerous and failed to implement proper procedures for “the safe and reasonable conduct of police pursuits.”
Bucci, suffered a series of injuries including a brain injury and several fractures, and spent over two months in hospital the statement of claim contends.
According to Strathroy-Caradoc CAO Fred Tranquilli, the Strathroy-Caradoc police board has not been served with the Statement of Claim. If/when the Board is served then next steps will be considered.
written by: C. Soares
