OPP Officers First To Testify At Assin Inquiry

In Kenora, the first day of testimony at the inquest into the death of Gloria Assin of Grassy Narrows First Nation featured testimony from Constable Troy Bender. Bender admits he doesn’t know how the cruiser he was driving ended up going into an intersection when it was hit by a transport in September, 2012. Bender says they had stopped at the stop lights and he was using his radio to talk to the Comm Center to send in his mileage. He says at that point he heard a loud horn and realized their vehicle had rolled into the intersection, so he accelerated 100% to try and avoid the collision. After the crash, Bender says both he and his partner were able to exit the cruiser and then removed Gloria Assin from the back seat. Bender says Assin had an injury to her head and didn’t have any vital signs. The inquiry continues Tuesday in Kenora.