

The Canadian Press





RICHMOND HILL, Ont. - Ontario's police watchdog has cleared a York region police officer whose cruiser came into contact with a hit and run victim north of Toronto this month.

The Special Investigations Unit says while there's a possibility the collision played a role in the victim's death, there is no indication the officer drove in a dangerous manner.

The SIU says a 30-year-old man wearing dark clothes was walking along Yonge Street in Richmond Hill around 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 when he was struck by a Mercedes SUV.

It says the SUV then took off, leaving the man on the road. Police have since arrested the driver.

The agency says another vehicle struck the man and the driver pulled over to call police.

The officer responding to the call also "came into contact" with the man, who was later pronounced dead at the scene.