STEINBACH – A 28-year-old Winnipeg is dead following a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 52, two kilometres east of Mitchell on Friday morning.

Police determined that a gravel truck was travelling westbound on Highway 52, when it signalled that it was going to turn south. The truck slowed as it waited for eastbound traffic to clear before truning.

Another vehicle, a van, being driven by a 19-year-old man from Ile-des-Chenes, came to a stop behind the gravel truck when it was struck from behind by a pickup truck, being driven by a 22-year-old man from Mitchell. The force of this collision pushed the van into the gravel truck and then into the oncoming lane, where it collided head-on with an eastbound vehicle, being driven by 28-year-old man from Winnipeg.

The 28-year-old driver and his 23-year-old female passenger, also from Winnipeg, were both taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The 28-year-old man was later pronounced dead. The 23-year-old woman remains in hospital with serious injuries.

The 19-year-old man in the van was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has been released.

Mounties said, in a news release, alcohol is not a factor in the collision.

“We would like to remind all motorists to always be aware of their surroundings, vehicles can stop at any time, for any reason” said Cst. Randy Belmore of the Steinbach RCMP. “There needs to be a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, not doing so endangers not only your life but the lives of everyone on our roads.”