Watchdog investigates crash, suspect’s spinal fractures during nighttime police pursuit

ManitobaManitoba’s police watchdog is investigating after a nighttime air and ground pursuit by Winnipeg police ended when suspects flipped a stolen vehicle and both were taken to hospital — one with fractures to their spine.Winnipeg police pursue suspects ahead of crash after failed attempt to stop vehicle with spike beltCBC News · Posted: Sep 22, 2025 2:22 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoPolice arrested two suspects after the crash on Sept. 19 and they were taken to hospital. One was treated and released; the other sustained spinal fractures. (Gian-Paolo Mendoza/CBC)Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating after a nighttime air and ground pursuit by Winnipeg police ended when suspects flipped a stolen vehicle and both were taken to hospital — one with fractures to their spine.The chase by police started Friday at about 3:30 a.m. after a report of a break-in at a construction trailer on Ken Oblik Drive in Winnipeg, according to a Monday news release by the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba.The Winnipeg police helicopter responded to the scene and saw two suspects leaving in a stolen 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, according to a police news release.The helicopter followed the vehicle north of the Perimeter Highway and Pipeline Road, where police on the ground put out a spike belt to stop the vehicle. That was unsuccessful so police pursued the suspects in cruisers.The helicopter left to refuel, and at about 4:15 a.m. the suspects crashed the vehicle in a rollover collision near Holmes and Poneida roads in the RM of West St. Paul, according to the IIU.They were arrested and sent to hospital. One was treated and released, while the other sustained spinal fractures, according to the IIU.The IIU took over the investigation as it’s tasked with investigating incidents involving police that result in serious injuries.Neither the IIU nor Winnipeg police disclosed in news releases out Monday which charges the suspects may being facing.More from CBC Manitoba: