Ontario’s police watchdog is appealing to the public for help after a two-car crash Friday night in the city’s east end.

The Special Investigations Unit is asking for witnesses after police stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Third Street and Culver Drive.

As the officer approached the vehicle on foot, the driver drove away on Culver Drive, the SIU said in a statement Monday.

The officer entered the cruiser and went in the same direction.

Shortly after the stop, the vehicle was involved in a crash with another car near Culver Drive and Culver Place.

A 30-year-old passenger in the vehicle that had initially been stopped by police was taken to hospital with injuries.

London police have charged one 32-year-old man with impaired driving cause bodily harm, flight causing bodily harm while pursued by a peace officer, failing to comply with recognizance, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, and driving while disqualified.

The SIU has assigned two investigators to this incident and is urging anyone who may have information to call 1-800-787-8529.

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.

jbieman@postmedia.com

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