Selkirk MLA Richard Perchotte has criticized the Manitoba government for inaction following the death of an 18-year-old man in a crash at the intersection of Highways 8 and 67 in the RM of St. Andrews—a location he had previously warned about in the legislature.
The young man from Stonewall was killed in a two-vehicle collision involving a semi-trailer truck on May 22. Perchotte, a Progressive Conservative MLA, had raised safety concerns about the same intersection on May 8 and May 13, just days before the fatal crash.
“What does the minister have to say for her, and her only, inaction?” Perchotte asked during question period on Monday.
Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor extended condolences to the victim’s family and noted that police are still reviewing the cause of the crash. She criticized Perchotte for politicizing the tragedy but confirmed for the first time that the province is working with local authorities on intersection improvement designs.
RM of St. Andrews Mayor Joy Sul confirmed the municipality had been notified of proposed upgrades earlier this year and expressed hope that traffic lights could be installed due to the intersection’s history of collisions.
The crash involved a southbound semi and a westbound SUV. Police reported that the SUV driver, an 18-year-old, died at the scene, while the semi driver, 43, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Highway 8, where the speed limit is 100 km/h, intersects with Highway 67, which has stop signs for crossing traffic. Naylor said improvement work on the highway will begin later this year.
Swifteradio.com
