A two vehicle crash in the RM of Portage la Prairie left a 72-year-old man dead and a 73-year-old woman in hospital.
A semi-trailer collided with an SUV at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Provincial Road 13.
The semi-trailer was traveling southbound on Provincial Road 430 and the SUV heading eastbound on the Trans-Canada. The semi-trailer attempted to cross the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada and collided with the SUV.
The driver of the vehicle, the 72-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 73-year-old passenger was transported to hospital in stable condition. They’re both from McCreary, Man.
“This appears to be another senseless and preventable tragedy and brings the total number of deaths on our roads to 76,” said Inspector Ed Moreland, with the Manitoba RCMP in a news release Friday. “On average this year, there has been a fatal collision every 3.5 days in RCMP jurisdiction. This is a real and present threat to the safety and security of all persons who travel on our roads.
The driver of the semi-trailer was not injured.
Alcohol is not considered to be a factor and everyone involved was wearing their seatbelts.