Back on April 13, 2008 at about 5 p.m., Selkirk RCMP attended the scene of a fatal rear end collision on the Brokenhead First Nation Community.
The incident involved a 1994 Mercury Sable driven by a 38 year-old man and a Police vehicle (GMC Sierra pick-up) belonging to the Brokenhead First Nation Police Service driven by a 22-year-old Brokenhead Ojibway Nation Band Constable.
At the time of collision, two persons died, a 44-year-old woman from the Brokenhead Ojibway F.N. and her 23-year-old son (no fixed address). Both were seated in the back seat of the vehicle. The other occupants of the vehicle, the driver, a 38-year-old man and his 36-year-old common law wife suffered serious injuries but survived the crash. The Band Constable driving the local Band truck suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Since this collision occurred, the RCMP Selkirk Detachment conducted an extensive investigation that involved the interviews of a number of witnesses, the RCMP Traffic Reconstructionist, Mechanical inspections on both vehicles and RCMP Forensic Laboratories. That investigation was completed in September of 2008.
Since a Peace Officer was involved in the fatal crash, and for sake of transparency, RCMP “D” Division Criminal Operations referred the matter to Manitoba Justice per RCMP policy. A comprehensive investigative package was forwarded to Manitoba Justice for legal opinion on charges in connection with this collision. On November 13, 2008 Selkirk RCMP were formerly advised by independent counsel retained by Manitoba Justice that no charges were recommended on the 22-year-old Band Constable operating the Band’s police truck at the time of the collision.
Crown opinion was also sought out on the driver of the Mercury Sable. On February 25, 2009 RCMP Selkirk laid the following charges based on Crown recommendation received on February 10th against the driver identified as Vincent Edward Prince:
• Two counts of Impaired Causing Death
• One count of Impaired Causing Bodily Harm
• One count of Driving over .08
On February 25th, he was arrested and released on an Undertaking with conditions to abstain from alcohol and have no contact with the Band Constable. His first appearance is scheduled March 27, 2009 in Selkirk.
Contact:
Sgt. Line Karpish
RCMP Media Relations
(204)983-8497
