Apr. 26, 2001. 11:23 AM
                    
                    Woman hurt as driver flips car fleeing police
                                         By Cal Millar
                                     Toronto Star Staff Reporter

                  A 24-year-old woman was critically injured Wednesday
                  when she was thrown from a car as it flipped over and bounced
                  against concrete walls in an underground garage, while the
                  driver attempted to flee police.

                  Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is looking into the
                  crash, which occurred at 4:15 a.m. in the underground parking
                  lot of a luxury apartment complex at 33 Harbour Square, at Queens
                  Quay and Bay St.

                  A preliminary investigation indicated a silver BMW sped
                  south on Bay St. and down the garage entrance ramp as a police sergeant
                  tried to get the driver to stop.

                  The officer, a road supervisor in the downtown 52 Division, followed the
                  vehicle into the garage moments before it flipped over and bounced against
                  a concrete wall and some supporting pillars.

                  The 26-year-old driver, who apparently lost control while trying to leave
                  the garage through a north exit, suffered non-life-threatening head and
                  facial injuries and was treated and released from hospital.

                  His female passenger was admitted to St. Michael's Hospital with head
                  injuries and a broken pelvis.

                  The names of the car's occupants have not been released.

                  Jon Ansell, an SIU spokesperson, said the woman remains in what he
                  described as guarded condition.

                  ''She was very seriously injured,'' he said, adding it may be a day or two
                  before hospital staff know the full extent of her injuries.

                  Investigators are seeking witnesses and hope to interview the driver soon.

                  Anyone who saw the vehicle or witnessed the accident is asked to call
                  (416) 622-2342.

                  The police sergeant has been named the subject of the SIU investigation.
                  Twelve other officers have been identified as possible witnesses and asked
                  to provide statements to investigators.

                  The SIU investigates all cases of serious injury or death where police
                  officers are involved.

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