Winnipeg cyclist killed by stolen vehicle

Two teenage boys who are known to police are facing a number of charges after a Winnipeg cyclist was hit by a stolen truck.

The truck was stolen from a parking lot on Main Street near The Forks in Winnipeg's downtown on Tuesday, police said.

The truck was speeding north toward Burrows Avenue on McGregor Street, in the North End area of Winnipeg, around 9 p.m., police allege.

The truck swerved to avoid hitting slow-moving vehicles at the intersection and hit the cyclist, who was trying to turn west on Burrows, police said.

The cyclist, a 58-year-old Winnipeg man, died hours later in hospital.Police have not released his name, but said he was on his way home when he was struck.

The truck then crashed into an unmarked police car.Officers with the Winnipeg Police street crime unit said they witnessed the collision.

The truck fled the scene of the collision and was pursued by police, eventually stopping near a playground about five kilometres north on Sinclair Street.

Police said the driver and passenger were apprehended as they tried to run away.

Suspects known to police

A 15-year-old boy, who police allege was driving, faces several charges, including criminal negligence causing death, dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and theft over $5,000, as well as drug and theft-related charges.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with theft over $5,000.

Acting Insp. Aubrey Kehlersaid the two suspects were known to police through the Winnipeg Auto Theft Suppression Strategy.

The two boys were described aslevel three and level four offenders under the program, meaning they have several charges or convictions for auto theft-related crime.

Level four offenders in the program are subject to daily in-person contact with a probation officer, other contact every three hours and an absolute curfew, according to Manitoba Public Insurance's website.

Both teens are in custody at the Manitoba Youth Centre.

String of dangerous car thefts

Tuesday's deadly collision is the latest in a series of cases involving stolen vehicles injuring or killing people in Winnipeg.

In May, a 38-year-old mother of three was killed when her van was struck by another van, which police said was stolen. Two men, aged 31 and 20, face several charges, including theft and drunk driving.

In mid-March, a 49-year-old man jogging on Wellington Crescent suffered serious injuries when he was hit, policebelieve deliberately,by a stolen car.Another jogger suffered minor injuries after being hit by the same car.

Three teenagers face numerous charges in connection with the incidents,including dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

Later that week, another stolen vehicle allegedly targeted a young woman walking in the Maples area of Winnipeg.A 16-year-old boy was charged with assault with a deadly weapon in that case.