Crash involving police officer that killed boy, 5, to be reinvestigated

In a major about-face, Quebec's justice minister will appoint a panel of independent prosecutors to look into the death of a five-year-old boy who was killed in February while the car he was riding in was struck by a speeding unmarked police car.

On Monday afternoon, StphanieValleannounced the case will be reopened.

In order to preserve the credibility and the independence of theDCPC [Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions], I asked the director to entrust independent prosecutors with the evaluation of the file ... In the interest of transparency, these recommendations will be made public,Vallesaid at a news conference.

The boy was seriously injured as his father, Mike Belance, was turning left on a green light at an intersection in Longueuil, on Montreals South Shore. He died several days later in hospital.

The unmarked police car, driven by a Sret du Qubec officer, was travelling at 122 kilometres per hour in a 50 km/h zone.

• Longueuil fatal crash: Prosecutor says decision not to lay charges based on evidence
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• Longueuil boy, 5, dies after family car hit by police cruiser

Montreal police investigated, and last Friday the DCPC announced it would not be laying any charges against the officer.

The panel appointed to look into the case is comprised of independent prosecutors, including a retired judge.

Witness speaks out

The justice ministers announcement came just hours after a woman who witnessed the collision spoke out to the media.

MadeleineNoiseuxsaid she decided to go public after learning that no criminal charges would be laid in the case.

When the crash happened, Noiseuxwas waiting for a bus steps awayat the corner ofGatan-BoucherBoulevard and Davis Boulevard.

Police investigating the collision interviewedNoiseuxthe day after it happened.

Noiseuxsaid she was shocked to learn the officer involved would not be facing charges.

"I don't think it's fair. You can't blame the dad, because the otherguy was going so fast.It's not normal to go so fast," saidNoiseux.

The Crown prosecutor's office explained Friday why it chose not to charge the officer.

Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions RenVerret said all evidence in the case was taken into consideration.

He said that included a statement from the father who told investigators he should not have turned left at the time and he did not have the right of way.