Cyclist seriously injured after hit-and-run on Trans-Canada Highway, RCMP say

A 40-year-old cyclist was seriously injured on Monday night when he was sideswiped by a vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway in southwestern Manitoba, RCMP say.

The incident happened about two kilometres west of Austin, Man., a community about 130 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

The report came in around 10 p.m. that evening, Mounties said in a news release on Wednesday.

Their investigation, which included help from an RCMP forensic collision reconstructionist,determined a cyclist from Ontario was going west down the highway when he was hit by the passenger side of a vehicle that was also going west.

The cyclist, who police believe was not wearing a helmet, was thrown off his bike and landed in the north ditch, RCMP said.

He was taken to a hospital in Winnipeg with serious injuries.

The vehicle did not stay at the scene, Mounties said.

Police are looking for a red vehicle, likely a pickup truck, with a broken passenger side headlight assembly.

Anyone with information is asked to call Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445.

Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.