SIU investigating after man falls from parking garage in ByWard Market while fleeing from police

A parking garage on York Street in Ottawa, where a man fell from during a police chase. May 23, 2026. (Scott Rook/CTV News Ottawa)

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating after a man fell from a parking garage and suffered life-threatening injuries while fleeing from the police in the ByWard Market early Saturday morning.

According to a statement from the SIU, Ottawa police officers responded to a call from a business near ByWard Market Square and George Street reporting that there was an unwanted person on their premises around 3:15 a.m.

After police arrived, the individual, a 32-year-old man, fled the scene and officers followed them on foot.

The SIU says the man entered a parking garage at 30 York Street, where he fell from the second floor and landed on the ground below.

Ottawa paramedics told CTV News they were called to the scene to treat the individual who was found lying prone near the parking garage.

Paramedics say the man’s injuries were life-threatening and they transported him to the Ottawa Hospital trauma centre.

The SIU investigates police interactions that may have resulted in death, serious injury, the discharge of a firearm and/or sexual assault.

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