Steinbach RCMP are reporting that a 16-year-old male driver was recently arrested and charged after he intentionally struck four pedestrians in a parking lot located at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS).

On December 17, 2021 at 10:35pm, Steinbach RCMP responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision involving four pedestrians. The incident occurred in the back parking lot of the SRSS.

Officers arrived at the scene and discovered a 17-year-old girl with serious injuries. The girl was transported to Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg to receive further care.

Investigation determined that a verbal altercation had occurred earlier in the evening at a parking lot located on Main Street in Steinbach. The vehicles then followed each other and travelled to the back parking lot of the school. At this time, four pedestrians ages 26, 18, 17 and 15, were walking in the parking lot when the driver of an SUV accelerated directly towards them, intentionally striking them with his vehicle.

Police say that the 26-year-old male was able to jump out of the way, escaping injuries. The 18-year-old male also attempted to jump out of the way, but was struck in the process – fortunately without injury. The 15-year-old female was transported to Bethesda Regional Health Centre for precautionary reasons. The 17-year-old female is in hospital receiving further treatment for serious but non life-threatening injuries.

RCMP report that the 16-year-old male driver was arrested and charged for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm and four counts of assault with a weapon. The youth appeared before a justice of the peace where he was released on conditions with a future court date.

Steinbach RCMP, with support from the Criminal Collision Investigation team and an RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist, continue to investigate this crime.