RCMP probe two serious crashes in 25 minutes in southern Manitoba

Pembina Valley RCMP are investigating two serious collisions that occurred within 25 minutes of each other last Friday in southern Manitoba.

The first collision was reported just after 11 a.m. on Highway 30, south of the Highway 14 junction in the Rural Municipality of Rhineland. Police say a pickup truck drifted into the oncoming lane, colliding head-on with a semi-trailer. The 78-year-old truck driver suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a Winnipeg hospital.

About 25 minutes later, officers responded to a single-vehicle rollover at the intersection of Highway 3 and Road 14 West in the RM of Dufferin.

Police say a red SUV attempting to turn south onto Road 14 crossed into oncoming traffic, causing another SUV to swerve to avoid a collision. The vehicle struck a culvert, rolled into a water-filled ditch and came to rest on its roof.

The 47-year-old male driver from Oak Bluff was able to free himself from the vehicle and was treated at the scene by paramedics. RCMP say the driver of the red SUV briefly stopped before fleeing south on Road 14 West. The driver is described as a Black woman wearing a purple shirt.

Both collisions remain under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pembina Valley RCMP at 204-822-4476 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.