Officers Cleared After Teen Dies During Routine Traffic Stop

The province’s Special Investigations Unit has cleared several Toronto police officers of criminal wrongdoing in the death of a teen last year.

On May 5th, Junior Manon was driving with a friend on Steeles Avenue West near Keele Street, when two police officers pulled him over.

A check of the police database revealed Manon, 18, was under probation and not allowed to drive as part of his conditions.

When one of the officers tried to handcuff Manon, he fled, and a chase led all three onto the grounds of York University. After failed attempts to grab him, the officers finally took him down in a grassy area.

It was then a struggle took place.

“Mr. Manon was involved in significant exertion leading up to his apprehension in an attempt to avoid an arrest,” SIU director Ian Scott said in a press release.

“During a struggle with the two subject officers after he fell or was taken to the ground, pressure was placed on his chest in a manner that could have caused it to compress and interfere with his breathing.”

By the time backup units arrived, Manon had gone limp. He then lost all vital signs, and paramedics could not revive him on the way to hospital.

Ontario’s chief forensic pathologist found the teen had died from “positional asphyxia following struggle and exertion.”

Scott said he believes police had the authority to act as they did and were not responsible for killing Manon.

“While it is possible that a subject officer had his arm around Mr. Manon’s neck at some point during this dynamic struggle, given the medical findings, I am of the view that this act, if it happened, was not a contributing factor in the cause of his death.”