A 30-year-old man has been charged in connection with a Boxing Day crash in Calgary after a police chase that left a nine-year-old girl dead.
In an update provided Friday, the Calgary Police Service said Alberta’s police watchdog has determined “the actions of the officers involved did not directly contribute to the collision.”
“As a result, ASIRT (the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team) will no longer be involved in this matter,” police said.
ASIRT had been asked to determine whether the incident met the criteria for a full investigation.
THE the accident occurred around 9:50 a.m. Thursday at the intersection of Macleod Trail and Southland Drive Southeast.
Police said investigators believe a minivan that was stolen was heading north on Macleod Trail, “driving erratically, weaving in and out of traffic.”
They said the driver of the minivan was a suspect in a pharmacy robbery that police were called to around 9 a.m. and in which a pharmacist was assaulted.
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Police said the minivan was being pursued by officers, but due to the erratic and dangerous manner in which it was being driven, the pursuit was suspended and the vehicle was monitored by a police helicopter.
“(The minivan) approached the intersection of Macleod Trail and Southland Drive Southeast, without stopping for a red light, and proceeded through the intersection at a high rate of speed,” CPS said.
At the same time, police said an SUV and a car were heading west on Southland Drive Southeast.
The minivan struck both vehicles, and the collision sent the car’s driver and two passengers to the hospital in life-threatening condition. One of the passengers was a nine-year-old girl who later died from her injuries. The other passenger was also a child. This victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. The drivers of the two affected vehicles also remain hospitalized – both were listed in stable condition as of Friday afternoon.
Police noted that the initial collision led to another crash, as the car struck another SUV that was in the left turn lane of southbound Macleod Trail Southeast. The driver and passenger who were in this SUV suffered minor injuries, while another who was behind the SUV was also struck and saw two people sustain minor injuries.
CPS said investigators are looking into whether speed and impairment may have played a role in the crash.
“We share the deep sadness felt by the family and loved ones whose lives have been forever changed by someone’s disregard for public safety,” said Insp. Andy Woodward. “We continue to work with many areas and department resources to fully investigate the circumstances of this collision.
“The Victim Support Team and other resources have been made available to those affected by this incident.”
Duane Arlen John Nepoose was arrested by police and charged with one count of grand larceny, one count of theft of a motor vehicle, one count of fleeing a police officer, one count of driving dangerous driving, one count of dangerous driving causing death and one count of indictment. of driving a vehicle without a license, one count of driving a vehicle without registration, one count of driving a vehicle without insurance and three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
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