Manitoba watchdog clears officer who drove over woman at encampment

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This article was published 22/10/2025 (340 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s police watchdog has cleared an officer who drove over a woman at an encampment.

Bruce Sychuk with the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba says in a report that the case, while unfortunate, doesn’t warrant criminal charges.

The report says two officers were in an unmarked cruiser to make an arrest at the encampment in a Winnipeg park on a night in September 2024.

The vehicle ran over the woman and she was taken to hospital, where she died.

The report says the woman was intoxicated, wearing dark clothing and lying on her stomach when she was struck.

One witness told the watchdog the cruiser had been moving “slower than a walk,” and another reported the woman was dragged by the vehicle.

The report says the officers heard a thump and someone outside yelled an expletive. The officers got out of the cruiser and administered first aid.

“Reviewing the evidence against the charging standard required, the civilian director is of the opinion that the subject officer did not commit any offence, and the incident was an unfortunate accident,” said Sychuk in the decision released Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2025.