Portage la Prairie RCMP are continuing to investigate a collision involving an off-road vehicle (ORV) and a passenger vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway near Road 71 West.
Police responded to the crash on July 23 at approximately 9:45 a.m. Initial findings indicate a 66-year-old man from MacGregor was operating an ATV and attempted to cross the highway when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle.
The ATV rider suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a Winnipeg hospital by STARS Air Ambulance. RCMP reported he was in stable condition. Investigators noted the man was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
As a result of the investigation, the ATV operator received several tickets under the Highway Traffic Act and the Off-Road Vehicles Act, including driving an unregistered vehicle, proceeding before it was safe to do so, driving while disqualified, operating an ORV on or across a roadway or shoulder, and failing to wear a helmet.
The driver of the eastbound vehicle, a 67-year-old man, was not injured.
The incident comes as Manitoba continues to see an increase in serious and fatal traffic collisions. RCMP recently reported collision-related fatalities are running above both last year’s levels and the five-year average, prompting renewed calls for motorists and ORV operators to follow safety regulations and wear proper protective equipment.
RCMP remind riders that helmets are mandatory and that crossing a roadway on an ORV is only permitted under specific conditions, including holding a valid driver’s licence. The investigation remains ongoing.
