A downtown Winnipeg intersection was closed for hours after a police pursuit ended in a collision on Friday, and a man who had just crossed the street says he narrowly escaped being hit by a speeding SUV.
Man recounts narrow escape
Adam Orbanski, who was walking home from work, told reporters he had just crossed Langside Street onto Broadway when he heard a siren and saw a vehicle approaching at speed.
“I could hear the siren, so I kind of stopped to look and see the car driving so fast towards me… I was just maybe steps away from probably being killed,” Orbanski said.
He said he moved clear of the lane and that the SUV then struck a black car travelling on Broadway. Orbanski later viewed security footage of the crash and said the impact occurred only seconds after he finished crossing the street.
Police response and investigation
Winnipeg police confirmed they responded to what they described as a police pursuit and a serious incident at the intersection. Officers arrested two people from the SUV at the scene, according to Orbanski.
The Winnipeg Police Service provided limited public details, saying only that the incident involved a pursuit and a serious collision. A spokesperson later confirmed the matter has been referred to the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba for further probe.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 (reported Sept. 13) |
| Location | Broadway at Langside Street, Winnipeg |
| Investigator | Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) |
Impact on the neighbourhood
The collision forced the closure of a section of Broadway for several hours while investigators examined the scene. Broadway is a busy arterial route that serves pedestrians, local businesses and vehicle traffic in Winnipeg’s core; prolonged closures can affect transit schedules and nearby commerce.
- Pedestrian safety: A local walker narrowly avoided serious harm, underscoring risks when high-speed pursuits unfold on busy streets.
- Traffic disruption: The intersection remained closed for hours as investigators processed the scene.
- Independent review: The IIU will examine the circumstances of the police pursuit and the collision.
Police declined to provide more specifics about the pursuit or those arrested. The Independent Investigation Unit had not responded to requests for comment by the time of reporting.
Questions for oversight and public safety
The referral of the matter to the IIU means investigators outside the police service will determine whether an officer’s actions contributed to any serious harm. For neighbours and commuters who use Broadway and surrounding streets, the episode will likely raise questions about how pursuits are conducted in densely populated areas and what safeguards are in place to protect pedestrians and motorists.
For now, residents are left with the account of a man who says he moved just in time to avoid being struck. The IIU’s findings, when released, should clarify the sequence of events and whether police conduct warrant any further action.
WE NEWS will monitor the IIU investigation and any updates from the Winnipeg Police Service and will report new information as it becomes available.
