On October 2, 2017, Carman RCMP responded to a two-vehicle collision on Road 33 West in the RM of Stanley, Manitoba.
Police say that a pickup truck was parked on the east shoulder of the road. The two occupants of the pickup had exited the vehicle to capture a donkey that had escaped its pen. When they returned to the truck and were preparing to enter the vehicle, the driver saw a northbound car approaching at a quick speed. The driver tried to flag the oncoming car so that he would slow down and move over, but the car struck the back of the pickup truck causing the pickup to swing out and strike the passenger of the truck who was still standing outside of the vehicle. The force of the impact threw the passenger into the ditch.
RCMP report that the 17-year-old male passenger, from RM of Stanley, suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The 47-year-old male driver of the pickup, from Morden, suffered minor injuries. The 18-year-old male driver of the car, from the RM of Stanley, also suffered minor injuries.
Police investigation has determined that the 18-year-old male was texting and driving at the time of the collision and was driving on a suspended licence. He is facing numerous charges.
“Distracted driving can have very serious consequences,” said Tara Seel, RCMP Media Relations Officer. “When you are driving, your sole focus should be on the task at hand. Driving is a big enough challenge that it should occupy your full attention.”
An RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
