A woman working for Canada Post was viciously attacked yesterday at a Barrhaven pharmacy, launching a manhunt for her ex-boyfriend and prompting a separate probe into a police crash involving a pedestrian.

Ottawa police responded to the Shoppers Drug Mart at the Barrhaven Town Centre, on Strandherd Dr. near Greenbank Rd., just after 3:45 p.m. after the woman, identified as Brenda Van Leyen, 47, was stabbed about a dozen times, including at least once in the neck.

A 21-year-old man who works at the drug store tried to intervene, and was also injured in the altercation. He was later released from hospital with minor injuries.

As police were responding to the stabbing, a cruiser collided with a pedestrian, who was apparently trying to direct officers to the crime scene. The pedestrian, a 43-year-old man, received head and leg injuries and was transported to hospital in serious condition.

Insp. John Maxwell anticipated that the Ontario Special Investigations Unit would be called to probe the police collision with the pedestrian.

There was a maze of yellow police tape behind the pharmacy as forensic experts processed the scene. At the centre was a 2005 Hyundai Tucson with Canada Post markings.

EMERGENCY LIGHTS

The SUV's emergency lights were activated and it was pulled up to the pharmacy's receiving entrance. Beside the vehicle was a large pool of blood and bloody clothes.

Police kept employees and some customers inside the store as potential witnesses. The store, which had a security guard on duty, closed to customers after the stabbing.

Van Leyen, a mother who lives in the Kemptville area, is a rural delivery person for the postal agency. A relative said she split up with her boyfriend, identified as an Ottawa mechanic named Claude, about a month ago after dating for a lengthy period of time. He would be aware of Van Leyen's route.

"He didn't seem violent, but he's been threatening her," her sister-in-law Beverley said.

Van Leyen's family were at the hospital last night monitoring her condition. Paramedics managed to stabilize her before transferring care to doctors.

Hours later, police were still searching for the ex-boyfriend. They looked in bushes and around the immediate area, but information eventually led officers to Quebec and Gatineau police were assisting in the search. There was no word if they found him.

Ottawa major crime detectives were leading the investigation into the stabbing.

jon.willing@sunmedia.ca