A nine-year-old girl has died and three people suffered life-threatening injuries after the driver of a stolen vehicle linked to a pharmacy robbery ran a red light and crashed into several vehicles in south Calgary on Boxing Day, police say.
The collision occurred at the intersection of Macleod Trail and Southland Drive S.E. in Calgary on the morning of Dec. 26, the Calgary Police Service said in a press release.
After locating the vehicle involved in the pharmacy robbery, police attempted to pull it over, but the driver refused to stop and instead continued driving at high speed, police said.
Officers decided against pursuing the vehicle due to the suspect’s reckless driving and heavy traffic in the area. Instead, they chose to monitor the suspect from a helicopter to ensure public safety, police said.
The driver continued to drive dangerously despite the attempts to conduct a traffic stop being called off, and ran a red light at an intersection 20 minutes later, causing a multi-vehicle collision.
Four people were taken to hospital in life-threatening condition, with the youngest, a nine-year-old girl, dying later in the day.
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“We fully recognize the devastating impact on the families of the victims, especially during this time of year, and supports have been offered to help them navigate this difficult time,” the Calgary police said.
Police were still at the scene at 1:30 p.m., and opened the road roughly six hours later. At 9:55 p.m., police announced the girl’s death.
“The youngest victim of a serious-injury collision that occurred earlier today, a nine-year-old girl, has sadly passed away,” said 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 arrested at the scene and remains in custody. Charges are pending, police said.
The Epoch Times contacted Calgary police to inquire about the current condition of the other victims and to obtain information about the suspect but did not hear back by publication time.
The suspect allegedly assaulted a pharmacist at Pharmasave Millrise, located at 15 Millrise Blvd. S.W., before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle. Police received reports of the incident at around 9:30 a.m.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, a civilian oversight body tasked with investigating incidents of serious injury or death involving police officers, will review the case to determine if an investigation is required, officials said.
According to Alberta’s guidelines for motor vehicle pursuits, applicable to all police services and peace officer employers in the province, the decision to start, continue, or stop a pursuit must be based primarily on public safety.
“A motor vehicle pursuit will only be initiated as a last resort and when all other alternatives are unavailable or unsatisfactory,” the guidelines read. It noted that officers must have “reasonable grounds” to believe the seriousness of the offence and the need to immediately apprehend the offender outweigh the danger created by the pursuit.
