Portage RCMP vehicle struck by stolen vehicle

August 4, 2018, 7:10 am

At approximately 10:55 pm, on Friday, August 2, 2018, Headingley RCMP officers began receiving complaints involving a vehicle driving northbound in a dangerous manner on the Perimeter Highway near Highway 3.

At 11:17 pm, this same vehicle was reported to be driving dangerously in the wrong lanes on Highway 1 near Elie.

Officers from the Portage la Prairie RCMP were notified and were patrolling on Highway 1 in an attempt to locate this vehicle.

At 11:40 pm, Portage RCMP officers observed the suspect vehicle driving westbound in the eastbound lane at a high rate of speed towards them.

The officers were able to avoid a collision and turned around in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

The officers lost sight of the suspect vehicle and approached the railroad crossing near Portage la Prairie, which had a train crossing at the time.

A vehicle was observed waiting for the train to cross so the officers pulled to the side of the highway to determine if this was, in fact, the suspect vehicle.

The officers were in their car on the side of the road when they observed another vehicle in their rear view mirror coming straight for them at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle collided with the rear of the police car causing extensive damage to both vehicles.

The officers were able to exit the police car and take the driver into custody.

It was later determined that the suspect had driven through a property near the tracks and made a complete circle and struck the police vehicle from behind at a high rate of speed.

Both officers and the 41-year-old male driver, from Winnipeg, were taken to hospital as a precaution and were later released.

The investigation has determined that the vehicle was stolen out of Winnipeg.

RCMP have charged Kenneth Martin Derksen with numerous charges including Theft of a Vehicle, Dangerous Operation, and Assault Police Officer x2.

He has been remanded into custody for a court appearance scheduled in Portage la Prairie Provincial Court on August 7, 2018.

Officers from the Portage la Prairie RCMP along with a RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist continue to investigate.