Drivers involved in an incident on the Perimeter Highway are recovering after a semi-truck allegedly caused a chain reaction of crashes.

The eastbound lanes of the Perimeter Highway at Pipeline Road were backed up significantly following a serious crash Thursday evening. Around 5 p.m., a nearby RCMP Traffic Services officer saw the crash occur and called for backup at the same time as someone called 911 to report it.

The officer observed the chain of crashes as an SUV was struck from behind causing it to strike a transit van, which then struck a car, which hit a pickup truck.

Getting closer, the officer saw the mess of cars in various spots and debris piling up on the busy road. Traffic quickly was backing up. As the officer began helping people at the scene of the crash, a semi-truck approximately 20 meters away was parked on the shoulder. Witnesses told the officer the semi caused the crash after striking the SUV. Now looking at the semi, the officer witnessed it try to flee.

Jumping into his cruiser, the officer began tailing the semi as it drove south onto Pipeline Road. Conducting a traffic stop, the RCMP officer arrested the 26-year-old driver. 

The driver of the SUV, a 57-year-old woman from St. Andrews, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The van's driver, a 48-year-old man from Selkirk was not seriously injured and did not need to go to the hospital. The car's driver, a 25-year-old from East St. Paul was uninjured but is facing a ticket for driving with a suspended license. 

The semi-truck driver is now being charged with several Highway Traffic Act offences and a Serious Offence Notice. RCMP says he could be facing more charges under the Criminal Code.

Earlier

The Manitoba RCMP is on the scene of a collision involving multiple vehicles in the eastbound lanes of the North Perimeter between Pipeline Road and Highway 7.

The RCMP sent out a tweet just before 6 p.m. Thursday saying Traffic Services responded to the crash.

There is no word at this time how many vehicles are involved or if there are any injuries.

Several units from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service have also responded.

The RCMP has asked the public to avoid the area and says significant delays are expected.