2 men ejected from stolen truck's box seriously injured after vehicle crashes with unmarked cruiser

Two men were seriously injured after they were ejected from thebox of a stolen truck that crashed with an unmarked cruiser during a police chase in Winnipegover the weekend, Manitoba'spolice watchdog said.

TheIndependent Investigation Unit said the owner of a truck was onDudley Avenue near Lilac andStafford streetson Saturdayaround 7:45 p.m., when he sawa pair of teenagers trying to steal his vehicle.

The man and one of his friends jumped into the truck'sboxas the suspects started driving the vehicle at a high rate ofspeed, the police watchdogsaid in a news release.

The two mencalled911 from the back of the vehicle,providingdirections of their location to the dispatcher that allowed officers to reachthe area.

Thementried to jump off from the vehicle, but due to the erratic driving and extreme rates of speed they had to stay on the truck's box, police said in a news release Monday.

The vehicle came in contact withtire deflation device nearBrandon Avenue and Osborne Street, deployed by police. But the police watchdogsaid the truckcontinued driving at high-speed rate westbound.

The truck then struck an unmarked police canine unit.The two men who were on the back of the truck were thrown out from the vehicle's box.

The owner of the truck suffered numerous fractures including the clavicle, skull and spine.

Meanwhile, anofficer who was on the canine unit wasinjured on the crash. He was treated for injuries and has since been released from hospital.

Police said a dog who was on the unmarked unit was not hurt.

Both suspects sustained non-serious injuries. They were both treated for minor injuries and released from hospital.

'Sounded like an explosion': neighbour

Mike Young was at home watching TV on his couch when the crash happened.

"[It] sounded like an explosion," Young said.

Bruce Houston was inside his apartment when the crash happened at his building's doorstep. He said neighbours rushed out, looking out for their loved ones as some of them thought they were injured in the crash.

Houston also went out on Saturday night and said he saw people lying on the ground beside the smashed pickup truck.

"I've seen accidents in front of the building before, but nothing like this," he said. "This is unbelievable."

Then a slew of cruisers flocked to the intersection, tapping off the scene, while some others loaded up those injured into stretchers.

"It was like a war zone. It was unbelievable," he said. "I don't want to ever see it again."

The crash also damaged the outside of achurch nearOsborne Streetand Brandon Avenue.

Tim Harris, pastor at Christian Fellowship Chapel, said the truck driver rammed through the church's lawn, smashing into a wheelchair ramp and a park bench.

"It's completely demolished," Harris said.

"It was quite the shock to come to church and see this." The service ran as usual on Sunday, while the church's property and finance committee figured out how to replace what was damaged during the crash.

Victims, accused known to each other

Thesuspects were arrested on Saturday near the scene of the crash, police said, adding both the accused and victims of thecrash were previously known to each other.

A 15-year-old girl has since been charged with theft over $5,000, while a 17-year-old boy faces 10 charges, including two counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance and two counts of causing bodily harm by criminal negligence.

Witnesses are asked to contact the police watchdogat 1-844-667-6060 with information or video footage of the incident.

2 men thrown from box of stolen truck after high-speed chase

21 days ago

Duration 2:26

Two people are in hospital with serious injuries after a weekend crash on Osborne street. It all started with a stolen pick up truck and the men who tried to stop it.