Cabbie shaken after crash with OPP that left girl, 9, and woman in critical condition

The driver of a U-Need-A Cab that was struck by an OPP vehicle and sent two passengers to hospital with critical injuries is shaken but recovering, his boss says.

The cabbie had been working for the company for about a month, but has been a taxi driverfor years, saidIsmail Omer, the president of the cab company.

"He was shaken, but he indicated that he was OK," Omer said about the driver.

He said the immediate concern is for the nine-year-old girl and 27-year-old woman who sustained critical injuries in the Sunday collisionat the intersection of Southdale Road East and Verulan Street.

It happened during a police pursuit involving another vehicle, and Omer said the cabbie'scar was broadsided by an OPP vehicle.

Bank robbery in Sarnia

London police were notified about a vehicle believed to have been involved in an armed bank robbery in Sarnia, Ont. earlier Sunday. Sarnia is about 100 km west of London.

Sarnia police say two men went into a TD Bank just before 4 p.m. They were wearing hoods and masks and appeared to be carrying handguns. One man asked everyone to get on the ground while the other jumped over the counter and took money. The suspects then fled in a vehicle.

Sarnia police followed the vehicle out of that city,which prompted OPP to get involved.

The OPP followed the vehicle all the way to London, where authorities eventuallycaught up and arrested two men aged 21 and 23.

Police found the money, as well as the handguns, which were determined to be replicas.

The two men have been charged with robbery using a firearm, disguise with intent, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from peace officer and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Critical condition

It was during the pursuit in London that an OPP vehicle collided with the cab carrying a girl and a woman.

The twowere transported to hospital where they remain in critical condition.

The OPP officer and the taxi cab driver were also taken to hospital and have since been released

The OntarioSpecial Investigations Unit has taken over the case. It investigateswhen a police incident results in death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

Spokesperson Moinca Hudon said the SIU is asking anyone with information to reach out.

"The SIU investigators will be interested in hearing from witnesses who saw what happened, as well as physical evidence and any video evidence. They will be interested in what were the road conditions, what knowledge did police have, what speeds were obtained, where things started and where things ended," she said.

Cab driver recovering at home

Omer said the male driver involved istaking time off work to recoverat home.

The driver was tired after the Sunday evening ordeal and his treatment in hospital, Omer said.

The cab company is planning on contacting the families of the passengers, he said.

"I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for them," he said. "Their well-being is priority for us their safety is our first priority."

Meanwhile, the SIUis continuingto investigate the circumstances of the incident.