Teens charged in jogger's hit-and-run

Winnipeg police have charged three teens in connection with a hit-and-run that sent a jogger to hospital and stunnedcity residentslast week.

A 49-year-old man suffered serious head injuries after being hit while jogging on Wellington Crescent.

Several other joggers reported close calls with the same car, and Sgt. Doug Safioles said another personhas reported beinghit.

"Another victim came forward who was struck by the vehicle prior to the gentleman who suffered the serious injuries," he said.

"We still have to conclude our interviews with him [but] it's the same morning, the same area, the same car, right before it happened.He suffered bruising to his left hand and his left side."

Three days after the joggers were hit, police arrestedthe three teens after a high-speed race in the East Kildonan area of Winnipeg.

Police believe the group had stolen five vehicles that night.

'Sick game'

After reviewing the evidence, Safioles said, police and prosecutors decided not tolay charges of attempted murder in the case.

"It's pretty clear that they didn't try and put the person in the middle of this car and run them down," he said.

"It looks more like it was some sort of sick game where you might just want to hit them with the mirrors.There's no indication that either person was hit in the centre of the vehicle, where someone was trying to deliberately run them down, as opposed to strike them with the vehicle."

One 16-year-old has been charged with two counts of driving dangerously causing bodily harm, driving while suspended and several other offences, in connection with the incident on Wellington Crescent.

Safioles described the teen as a "high-risk" car thief who was on probation and had been missing for weeks.

Another 16-year-old faces charges including driving dangerously, theft over $5,000, joyriding andpossession of break-in tools, while a 13-year-old has been charged with theft over $5,000 and joyriding.

Police say they expect to lay more charges against the teens.