Municipality calling for safety upgrades, police still looking for driver after semi crash killed mom, child
Sara Unger and 8-year-old daughter Alexa were killed last week after RCMP say semi ran past stop sign
A southern Manitoba rural municipality is calling for more safety measures at a highway intersection where a mother and child were killed when their vehicle was hit by a semi-trailer last week.
Reeve Don Wiebe said the RM of Rhineland has sent a letter to Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure requesting safety improvements at the intersection of highways 201 and 306, which is near the town of Altona, about 90 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.
RCMP say the semi went through a stop sign as it was heading east on Highway 201 on the evening of Nov. 15, hitting a southbound SUV.
The driver of the SUV — Sara Unger, a 35-year-old from the RM of Rhineland — was pronounced dead at the scene. Her eight-year-old daughter, Alexa, the only passenger in the vehicle, was airlifted to hospital, but died from her injuries.
In addition to a stop sign, Highway 201 also has rumble strips leading up to the intersection.
Wiebe said there hadn't been any big concerns raised about the intersection before the fatal crash, but the municipality is suggesting bigger stop signs or lights to draw attention to the intersection.
"Maybe that will remind a lot of people in the rural area — in terms of highways — [to] be extra careful about intersections," the reeve said.
The Manitoba government said in an email Thursday the Transportation department will be examining the intersection to determine whether improvements are required. It said the department is also co-operating with the RCMP, who are leading the investigation into the collision.
On Wednesday, police announced a countrywide arrest warrant had been issued or the driver of the semi, who has been charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and one count of obstructing a peace officer in connection with the collision.
Navjeet Singh, from Brampton, Ont., was taken to hospital after the crash, where he was treated and then released.
RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre said officers made a few attempts to speak with the 25-year-old before determining he may have left Winnipeg, where a contact said he would be staying.
"The last thing [the contact] was told is he was going to be seeking the advice of a lawyer, but couldn't reach him on cellphone, and they had no idea where he went," Manaigre said.
"With really no other ties to Winnipeg, we believe it's safe to say he's left the city."
Grief difficult to bear, church says
Wiebe said while the Rhineland community is coping as well as it can, the situation with the driver makes it more difficult for everyone to find closure.
"There would have been some comfort if that process had [carried on] normally," he said. "Now, it's a bit more complicated."
Unger was an active member of the Altona Sommerfeld Mennonite Church, where she taught Sunday school to young children and led a youth program with her husband.
The church said in a statement Friday both she and Alexa were dearly loved and a joy to be around.
"For those closest to them, the grief has been very difficult to bear at times," the statement said. "Nevertheless, as much as we mourn their loss from our lives, we do not grieve as those who have no hope."
The congregation will gather on Saturday to share stories about Sara and Alexa. Their funerals will be held the next day.
The statement said the church is also praying for the driver.
"We want Mr. Singh to know that there is only one way for him to have peace in his heart, and that is by coming to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness," it said.
With files from Rosanna Hempel and Erin Brohman