The Special Investigations Unit says no charges will be laid against four Toronto police officers in the death of a man arrested after a drug-fuelled drive through several backyards.
The police watchdog agency says officers responded to several calls early on July 1, 2015, reporting a vehicle being driven through backyards, causing significant damage.
After 30-minute search, officers located a man — agitated and bleeding profusely from a head wound and believed to be the driver — who threw a rock and a wooden stake at police before losing his balance and falling in a garden.
The SIU says the 33-year-old man was handcuffed following a struggle with four officers but was unresponsive and paramedics' efforts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.
SIU director Tony Loparco says an autopsy determined the man — who had a history of anabolic steroid use and had taken cocaine and tamoxifen — died of a cardiac arrest indicative of cocaine intoxication.
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.
"After reviewing the post-mortem report, I am satisfied the man died as a result of a cardiac arrest set into motion by his abuse of illegal drugs," Loparco said Thursday in a release.
"His highly erratic and dangerous driving, apparent disassociated state, aggressive behaviour and other physical symptoms are all indicative of having consumed a significant quantity of cocaine."
Loparco said the man was a large and powerful individual who had consumed cocaine, and was both combative and non-compliant.
"Although brief, the struggle surrounding the arrest was difficult and required four officers to resolve," he said.
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