Man killed in head-on crash near Pipestone
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/01/2016 (3647 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
One person is dead following a head-on collision between a semi-trailer truck and minivan near Pipestone on Thursday.
RCMP spokeswoman Holly Plato confirmed the lone occupant of the van, a man, was killed at the scene.
Police closed Highway 83 approximately five kilometres north of Pipestone at 11:15 a.m. Pipestone is 35 kilometres south of Virden.
The Brandon Sun arrived on scene at 12:30 p.m. while traffic reconstruction analysts were still investigating.
With the aid of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, police set up a one-mile perimeter around the collision.
From the southern perimeter, a twisted red minivan could be seen in the eastern ditch of the highway, while a white semi-truck and trailer facing south was in the west ditch.
Pieces of the van, including the engine, were strewn across the highway.
Paul Doerksen, office manager for Light Way Transport, confirmed one of the company’s trucks and drivers was involved in the collision.
“Our driver is fine,” Doerksen said from Austin, where Light Way Transport is headquartered.
“He seemed to be doing fine, but if you know how shock works it usually takes a little time to register.”
The driver was transported to Virden hospital where he was checked before being released.
Doerksen said the driver, who has been working with the company for a few months, was travelling southbound, transporting a load of potash from PotashCorp’s Rocanville mine near the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border to North Dakota.
In a brief conversation with the driver, Doerksen said he was told that the northbound van crossed the centre passing line.
“From what our driver said he didn’t know why the driver veered into his lane, but that’s what happened with no time for him to react,” Doerksen said. “It was just so quick.”
The driver was subjected to a drug and alcohol test in Brandon following the collision in accordance with company policy, Doerksen said.
Light Way Transport conducts drug and alcohol tests following all collisions involving its drivers.
Doerksen said the driver will be given some time off work to ensure he’s comfortable returning to the road.
“We’re going to help him out as much as we can,” Doerksen said.
The highway was reopened at 4:45 p.m.
Police are expected to release more details about the collision Friday.
» ctweed@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @CharlesTweed
History
Updated on Thursday, January 14, 2016 5:03 PM CST: Adds map
Updated on Thursday, January 14, 2016 5:16 PM CST: Adds road closure detail
Updated on Thursday, January 14, 2016 7:18 PM CST: Writethrough