Quebec police watchdog investigating police arrest that led to hospitalization in Saint-Eustache

Quebec’s police watchdog is investigating an operation in Saint-Eustache after a person sustained injuries while in custody on Saturday.

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) said in a news release published Saturday that it received a 911 call around 8:30 a.m. about a motorist who drove off the road and then ran away.

The BEI investigates in all cases where a person, other than an officer on duty, dies, suffers serious injury or is injured by a firearm used by a police officer.

Saint-Eustache police officers arrived at the scene minutes later and used pepper spray on the person before arresting them, according to the agency.

At 8:50 a.m., police reportedly took the person to the detention centre, where the person lost consciousness.

The BEI said first aid was administered until ambulances arrived half an hour later. The person was then taken to hospital in serious condition.

Four BEI investigators have been assigned to investigate the circumstances of the intervention. No further information is available at this time, the agency said.

Quebec provincial police said they opened a criminal investigation into the incident, but did not provide additional details.