RCMP officer charged with careless driving after highway U-turn caused crash in Manitoba

A Manitoba RCMP officer has been charged withcareless driving after allegedly making a U-turn on a highway that led to a serious crash.

The crash happened around5:14 p.m. on Sept. 10justeast of Minnedosa, according to theIndependent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, which looked into the incident before recommending that charges be laid.

The officer was parked on the eastbound shoulder ofHighway 16 when a speeding vehicle was spotted going in the opposite direction. The officer turned on the emergency lights and turned to go after the speeder but moved into the path of aneastbound vehicle, the IIUstated in a release from the time of the crash.

The officer and the two people inside the car that hit the cruiser were all sent to hospital in Minnedosaand later transported to Brandon Regional Hospital.

One of the people from the car sustained a fractured sternum, the IIU said.

As a result of the investigation by the police watchdog, the officer was charged withcareless driving forperforming a U-turn where it's not allowed.

As the matter is now before the courts, the IIUwill not offer any further comment.

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