A Winnipeg man is facing numerous charges after driving dangerously and striking a police vehicle at a high rate of speed at a railroad crossing near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
At approximately 10:55 pm, on August 2, 2018, Headingley RCMP officers began receiving complaints involving a vehicle driving northbound in a dangerous manner on the Perimeter Highway near Highway 3. At 11:17pm, the same vehicle was reported to be driving dangerously in the wrong lanes on Highway 1 near Elie.
Officers from the Portage la Prairie RCMP were notified and were patrolling on Highway 1 in an attempt to locate the suspect vehicle. At 11:40pm, Portage RCMP officers observed the vehicle driving westbound in the eastbound lane at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was heading towards the officers and fortunately they were able to avoid a collision. Officers then turned around in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
At this point, police lost sight of the suspect vehicle and approached the railroad crossing near Portage la Prairie, which had a train crossing at the time. A vehicle was then observed waiting for the train to cross so the officers pulled to the side of the highway to determine if this was pooibly the suspect vehicle. At this point the officers were in their car on the side of the road when they observed another vehicle in their rear view mirror coming straight for them at a high rate of speed. The vehicle collided with the rear of the police car causing extensive damage to both vehicles.
Officers were able to exit the police car and take the driver into custody. It was later determined that the suspect had driven through a property near the tracks and made a complete circle and struck the police vehicle from behind at a high rate of speed. Both officers, along with the 41-year-old male driver, from Winnipeg, were taken to hospital as a precaution. They were later released.
Police investigation has determined that the suspect vehicle was stolen from Winnipeg.
RCMP report that Kenneth Martin Derksen is facing numerous charges including theft of a vehicle, dangerous operation of a vehile and assaulting a police officer. Derksen has been remanded into custody for a court appearance scheduled in Portage la Prairie Provincial Court.
Officers from the Portage la Prairie RCMP along with a RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist continue to investigate.
