Editorial – So many questions, but very few answers.
There are no words for what family members and friends are going through with the death of a 20-year-old Cobourg man who was involved in a collision in Port Hope on Monday, February 21, 2022.
Port Hope Police have reported that around 10 p.m. there was a single vehicle collision on Robertson Street, just west of Mill Street.
The vehicle was torn into two pieces from the collision. It was unrecognisable.
A Cobourg man was pronounced dead at the scene.
With any traffic collision that results in death or serious injuries specialized police services are called in to investigate that are trained in reconstruction.
Members of the OPP Traffic Collision Investigators worked into the morning hours trying to piece together what happened during the collision.
Members of the Port Hope Police are investigating the series of events that took lead up to the collision.
It was obvious from the debris field speed was a factor in the collision.
Could it have been mechanical?
There are many questions that will take days and likely months to understand what happened.
But there are many questions that can be answered at this point.
Port Hope Police stated in their release that, “a CN Police officer attempted to stop a vehicle on Peter Street in Port Hope when the vehicle fled.”
But a critical part of the information that is missing, is what was the stop for?
Given the nature of what Port Hope Police stated in their release, they likely know the reason for the attempted stop, but why not say it.
Family, friends and a community are looking for answers.
It is understandable many questions can’t be answered at this time. But some can and should.
It may have been that the CN Police just happened to be travelling on Peter Street when the car sped past them and they tried to pull it over. Given Port Hope Police have stated that CN Police tried to stop it on Peter Street and the collision happened, just metres passed Peter Street, it would seem reasonable.
A witness did state to Today’s Northumberland she saw the car speed past her at a very high rate of speed, then seconds later a police cruiser went by with emergency lights activated indicating she believed it was likely in pursuit.
The unfortunate part in circumstances like this, is dealing with CN Rail including CN Police – media relations especially. Typically they always give very few details regarding any incident.
The guidelines for suspect apprehension pursuits under the Police Services Act are available for anyone to read.
But numerous e-mails sent to CN Rail regarding their pursuit policy, or if they even have one, go unanswered.
Jonathan Abecassis whose profile states he is the Senior Manager for CN Rail refused to comment on even if they have a policy.
“As stated before, the OPP and Port Hope PD are investigating the incident and we would decline to comment further.”
CN Police are a federal agency and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Police Services Act.
In fact, Abecassis wouldn’t even state who the Chief of Police is for CN Rail when asked. Is it a national secret?
E-mails and a phone call to Stephen Covey whose profile states he is the Chief of Police (North America) and Chief of Security Officer for CN Rail have gone unanswered.
The investigation will take months, but certainly Port Hope Police could release the reason for the stop.
And any sign that CN Rail/Police aren’t forthcoming with what should be basic public information is concerning of where the investigation is headed.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
