WINNIPEG – A 27-year old woman is dead after the SUV she was driving crashed on Portage Avenue early Monday morning.
Police were in pursuit of the woman and a 30-year old male passenger. He is in hospital with minor injures.
WATCH: Global’s Lorraine Nickel brings you more on the couple allegedly involved in robberies before a fatal police pursuit
The badly damaged vehicle lost control at Portage Avenue and Good Street, slamming into a light standard, a tree and bouncing off of two University of Winnipeg buildings before coming to a stop on the sidewalk.
Portage Avenue eastbound has since re-opened.
“Certainly the potential was there for other drivers and pedestrians to get caught up with this as well and thankfully that wasn’t the case this time,” said Constable Eric Hofley.
Police say they received a report of a 7-11 being robbed on Dale Boulevard. Global News has learned the suspects allegedly walked into the store and demanded cash and cigarettes from the clerk. After receiving a bag of 250 packages of cigarettes, Global News is told they used a machete to threaten the clerk to open the safe and hand over the money.
A short time later, another 7-11 store was robbed on Portage Avenue near Albany Street.
Around 12:30 a.m police spotted the green Ford Explorer, they believed was involved, driving eastbound on Portage Avenue at Empress St.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver refused so police started to chase.
“They were able to pull away from the officers who did lose sight and very briefly after that they became involved in that collision at Portage and Good ,” said Hofley.
The 27-year old woman driving died at the scene.
The 30-year old man tried to flee the scene on foot but was located and arrested a short distance away.
The Independent Investigations Unit is helping Winnipeg Police in the investigation and is searching for witnesses.
“The issue for us to determine is, did that fatality arise from the action of the police officer?” said Zane Tessler, with the IIU.
Anyone that saw the pursuit or crash is ask to call 1-844-667-6060.
The Buhler Centre is damaged and a vehicle is smashed up outside the building.
RELATED: Transit service interrupted due to morning crash on Portage Avenue
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