Police recover stolen Civic, still seek suspect in fatal U-Haul crash near Edmonton
Posted Feb 26, 2024 12:31 pm.
Edmonton police say they are assisting the Alberta RCMP with an investigation of incidents surrounding a woman being killed by a U-Haul truck on the outskirts of southeast Edmonton Saturday night.
The EPS says several units were deployed to assist Mounties, after a U-Haul fled a traffic stop in Beaumont. The truck drove north on 50 Street into Edmonton.
While on 50 Street, police deployed a spike belt, which disabled several civilian vehicles as well as the suspect’s truck.
A 45-year-old woman from Fort Saskatchewan was driving one of the vehicles that hit the spike belt, and police say she had stepped out of her vehicle to see what happened when she was hit by the truck.
The U-Haul eventually came to a stop outside a gas station near 22 Avenue and 50 Street. After crashing the U-Haul, the driver reportedly stolen a Honda Civic, which was parked outside the gas station, with a child inside.
READ MORE: Woman killed, suspect at large after U-Haul crashes into southeast Edmonton gas station
Police say the child was located unharmed several minutes later.
On Monday morning, the EPS said it had recovered the stolen Honda Civic outside Edmonton.
EPS and RCMP officers are continuing to look for the driver. They have been described as being around 5’11” tall, and were wearing a black hoodie with white text on the front, brown shoes, and black shorts at the time of the incident.
“We are incredibly saddened to hear about the tragic death of the innocent woman who was killed on 50 Street,” said Det. Nigel Phillips with the EPS Investigative Response Team. “Our hearts are with her family and friends who will now have to carry on with this unfathomable loss.
“We are doing everything we can to track down the suspect and we trust the public will help us identify and locate him as soon as possible.”
“On behalf of the RCMP, I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family members of the victim,” added Supt. Leanne MacMillian, Assistant Central Alberta District Officer. “This is a devastating incident that will leave a mark on family and friends for years to come. Please understand that you will be in our thoughts as we progress through this investigation.”
The RCMP adds Alberta’s police watchdog has been notified of the incident, and ASIRT will begin its own independent investigation.
Anyone with any information about the suspect is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
-With files from the Canadian Press