Young Girl Dies in Calgary Boxing Day Crash with Robbery Suspect Involved
A tragic incident occurred in south Calgary on Boxing Day, where a nine-year-old girl lost her life and three individuals sustained life-threatening injuries. This was the result of a stolen vehicle, connected to a pharmacy robbery, running a red light and colliding with multiple vehicles, as reported by the police.
The collision took place at the intersection of Macleod Trail and Southland Drive S.E. in Calgary on the morning of December 26, according to a press release from the Calgary Police Service.
Following the identification of the stolen vehicle involved in the pharmacy robbery, law enforcement officers attempted to pull it over. However, the driver chose to defy the authorities and continued driving at a high speed.
Due to the suspect’s reckless driving and heavy traffic conditions in the vicinity, the officers decided against pursuing the vehicle. Instead, they opted to monitor the suspect from a helicopter to safeguard public well-being.
Despite the discontinued attempts to conduct a traffic stop, the driver persisted in driving dangerously and eventually ran a red light at an intersection, leading to a multi-vehicle collision.
Four individuals were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, with the youngest victim, the nine-year-old girl, sadly passing away later that day.
The Calgary police expressed their condolences for the families affected by this tragedy, especially during the holiday season, offering support to help them through this challenging time.
As of 1:30 p.m., the police were still at the scene, reopening the road approximately six hours later. The unfortunate news of the girl’s passing was announced by the authorities at 9:55 p.m.
“The youngest victim of a serious-injury collision that occurred earlier today, a nine-year-old girl, has sadly passed away,” stated the Calgary police in a social media post. “We send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones impacted by this tragedy.”
The suspect was apprehended at the scene and remains in custody, pending charges, according to the police.
The Epoch Times reached out to the Calgary police for updates on the remaining victims’ conditions and information regarding the suspect but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Prior to the collision, the suspect allegedly assaulted a pharmacist at Pharmasave Millrise and fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. Police were notified of the incident around 9:30 a.m.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team will review the case to determine if an investigation is necessary, as it involves serious injury or death connected to police actions.
As per Alberta’s guidelines for motor vehicle pursuits, the decision to initiate, continue, or terminate a pursuit should primarily prioritize public safety, stating that pursuits should only occur as a last resort when all other options are inadequate.
