St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP are reporting that a recent vehicle collision on Highway 1, north of Lorette, has claimed the life of a Steinbach man and left two others injured.
On October 23, 2024, at approximately 12:30am, St. Pierre-Jolys received a report of a collision on Highway 1 and Provincial Road 206. Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered one vehicle in the south ditch and two other vehicles situated on the highway.
Investigation determined that a car and SUV were traveling east on Highway 1. The vehicles were side-by-side when the passenger tire of the car, along with the control arm and other mechanical parts, came off and struck the SUV, which was traveling in the south lane. The incident caused the car to come to rest on the roadway and immediately catch fire. Officers noted that the SUV, after being struck by the tire are car parts, entered the ditch and rolled.
Police say that the 25-year-old male driver of the car, from Calgary, was able to exit the vehicle. He was subsequently transported to local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The 59-year-old male driver of the SUV, from Steinbach, was pronounced deceased on scene. A 45-year-old male passenger of the SUV, from the RM of Hanover, was transported to local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
RCMP report that a third vehicle, which was traveling close behind the two vehicles, struck the tire component of the car, which was left on the highway after the collision. The incident made the third vehicle inoperable as a result. Members noted that the 28-year-old female driver of the third vehicle, from Kenora, Ontario, was transported to hospital with minor physical injuries.
An RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Update
After further investigation into this collision by an RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist, RCMP have confirmed that the eastbound car, being driven by the 25-year-old male, had crossed over the center line and side-swiped the eastbound SUV, being driven by the 59-year-old male. The mechanical condition of the car was not a factor in the collision.
