Man intentionally drove into RCMP cruiser, causing his death: IIU

A man who fled in a stolen vehicle after fatally stabbing his sister and injuring several others on a First Nation intentionally plowed into an RCMP cruiser at nearly 190 kilometres per hour, killing himself and seriously injuring an officer, a report from the police watchdog reveals.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba released its report Wednesday into the high-speed car chase that led to the death of Tyrone Simard on Sept. 4, 2025, just south of Hollow water First Nation.

The watchdog recommended no charges be laid against the officer who was pursuing Simard or the officer whose cruiser was hit.

“Unfortunately, (Simard) was the cause of his own tragic end.”

Simard, a member of Hollow Water, had fatally stabbed his sister Marina Simard and injured seven others, before fleeing. He crashed into the cruiser that was parked on Provincial Road 304, about 50 kilometres south of Hollow Water, injuring RCMP Cpl. Brianne Bartmanovich.

The report says one officer, who was sent to the area because of previous calls to RCMP involving Simard, told the IIU he had been travelling 160 km/h during the chase and noted he was “losing ground.”

He said Simard’s vehicle was swerving all over the road.

“Unfortunately, (Simard) was the cause of his own tragic end,” acting civilian director Bruce Sychuk concluded in the report.

The tragedy rocked the remote community on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, which does not have cellphone service. After being summoned to a possible stabbing at about 5:55 a.m., Powerview RCMP found numerous victims at a home in Hollow Water, located about 190 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

At the time, RCMP said the victims ranged in age from 18 to 60.

RCMP had heard the man wanted to die at the hands of police, the report notes.

The pursuing officer witnessed the suspect drive directly into an RCMP vehicle that was stopped on the other side of the road shortly before 7 a.m. He went to check on Bartmanovich after the crash and noticed she was breathing but appeared to be confused.

He tried to help her out but had trouble because of the damage to the vehicle.

Bartmanovich was eventually able to get out of the vehicle and sit on the side of the road to wait for an ambulance.

Once emergency personnel arrived, the male officer went to check on the suspect, whose vehicle had been “totally destroyed.”

A traffic analyst report said the suspect’s vehicle was travelling at approximately 187 km/h at the time of the collision and the accelerator was pressed to the maximum.

On the day of the crash, RCMP said the suspect collided with a cruiser that was driving northbound. On Wednesday, RCMP confirmed the details of IIU’s report, noting that Bartmanovich was stopped at the time of impact.

“The result from IIU is as expected; necessary and appreciated while confirming her heroic and selfless actions,” said Bobby Baker, prairie region director at the National Police Federation, which represents RCMP officers.

“She has been recognized by all levels of government, from provincial to First Nations and more, as a hero. Thinking back, it’s a miracle she survived and everyone, especially her young family, is grateful.”

The IIU didn’t speak with Bartmanovich because “it was decided that it was not necessary or in the best interest to interview (her).”

In a statement released by RCMP on Sept. 12, 2025, Bartmanovich, who had been treated in hospital, said she would heal in time.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out and sent kind messages for my recovery. It means so much to me and to my family,” she said.

Bartmanovich was not made available for an interview on Wednesday.

Scott McMurchy, Manitoba RCMP assistant commissioner, called the incident a “tragedy” for the community and a “senseless act of violence,” on the day of the attack.

The attack and crash prompted a large response from emergency services and hospital staff.

Shared Health reported six ground ambulances and two STARS air ambulances responded to the crime.

Two critically injured patients were airlifted to Health Sciences Centre by STARS. Ground ambulances transported one critically injured victim and four unstable victims to HSC. Two of the victims required surgery.

Court records show at the time of the rampage, Simard was out on bail and facing charges of sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching from incidents alleged to have occurred in 2017.

The 26-year-old was also charged with assault with a weapon and mischief for offences on June 8, 2025.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca