Portage la Prairie RCMP say no charges are pending against a motorist who struck a pedestrian on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Portage last night. Police, EMS, and firefighters were called to the scene of the incident at about 10:30 last night, near the Shell station on the Trans-Canada Highway. Upon arrival, police discovered an unconscious male on the shoulder of the highway. Fearing head and neck trauma, he was transported to Health Sciences Centre via STARS air ambulance. RCMP Constable Sean O'Keefe says further investigation revealed the collision likely stemmed from an altercation between two males on the side of the road.

Constable Sean O'Keefe

"We're unaware if they were hitchhiking or if they were simply walking along the roadway. We understand they could be heard arguing from the shoulder of the road from other people around the area. We're not 100 per cent sure what they were doing there." 

After speaking with witnesses and those in the vehicle, O'Keefe says police determined the collision was likely unavoidable for the motorist.

"We don't believe the driver is at fault in this. Unfortunately in talking with him and the passenger in the vehicle, the collision was almost unavoidable due to the erratic actions of the male who had stepped out on to the roadway."

Police believe alcohol, the male's erratic behaviour, and a lack of reflective clothing all played a role in the collision.

The eastbound lanes of the highway were closed until about one o'clock this morning, after investigators had left the scene.