Texting driver slams into pickup parked for donkey: RCMP

Three people were hurt after a teenager driver who police say was texting slammed into a parked pickup truck in southern Manitoba.

It happened around 7:30 p.m.Monday on Road 33 W., just southwest of Morden, Man., in the Rural Municipalityof Stanley.

The truck was pulled to the shoulder so the occupants could track down a donkey that hadescaped a pen, according to RCMP.

They were about to get back inside the truck after returning the animal to its corralwhen the driver of the truck saw a car coming along the country road athighspeed, RCMPsaid.

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The truck's driver tried to get the attention of the driver of the car and indicate to him to slow down and move over, but the car struck the back of the pickup truck.

The impacthad so much force it made the truck swing out, hittingthe 17-year-old passenger,who was standing next to it.

He wasthrowninto the ditch and suffered seriousbut non-life-threatening injuries, RCMPsaid.

The 47-year-old man who was driving the pickupsuffered minor injuries.

The 18-year-old male driver of the car, who isfacing numerous charges,also suffered minor injuries. Police say he was texting and driving at the time of the crash and had a suspended licence.

"Distracted driving can have very serious consequences," said RCMPspokesperson Tara Seel.

"When you are driving, your sole focus should be on the task at hand. Driving is a big enough challenge that it should occupy your full attention."