On September 29, 2016, at approximately 1:30pm, Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Provincial Road 13 in the RM of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
Police say that the collision was between a semi-trailer and an SUV. The semi-trailer was traveling south on Provincial Road 430 and the SUV was heading east on the Trans-Canada Highway. As the semi-trailer attempted to cross the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway toward Provincial Road 13, it collided with the SUV.
RCMP report that the 72-year-old male driver of the SUV, from McCreary, Manitoba, was pronounced deceased on scene. His 73-year-old female passenger, also from McCreary, was transported to Winnipeg hospital where she is in stable condition. The 53-year-old male driver of the semi-trailer, from Oakville, Manitoba, was not injured in the collision.
“This appears to be another senseless and preventable tragedy and brings the total number of deaths on our roads to 76,” said Inspector Ed Moreland, Officer in Charge of Traffic Services for the Manitoba RCMP. “On average this year, there has been a fatal collision every 3.5 days in RCMP jurisdiction. This is a real and present threat to the safety and security of all persons who travel on our roads. Going into the weekend, we remind everyone to drive responsibly and buckle up. Our officers will be on the roads, but we need every Manitoban to help us in order to make a real difference.”
Alcohol is not considered to be a factor in the collision and all those involved in the collision were wearing seatbelts. An RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
