Charges laid against suspect in Boxing Day crash on Calgary’s Macleod Trail
Posted Dec 27, 2024 3:26 pm.
Last Updated Dec 27, 2024 6:48 pm.
Calgary police have charged a suspect who crashed into multiple vehicles, leading to the death of a 9-year-old girl on Boxing Day.
The incident happened just before 10 a.m. on Macleod Trail and Southland Drive.
Officers believe 30-year-old Duane Arlen John Nepoose was driving a stolen 2015 Dodge Caravan erratically, weaving in and out of traffic.
They say he drove through a red light, striking a 2014 Toyota 4Runner driven by a woman in her 40s, and a 2009 Pontiac Vibe driven by a woman in her 40s with her two children
The four were rushed to hospital in critical, life-threatening condition. Police said late Thursday a 9-year-old girl died in hospital.
Officers said Friday the drivers of the Toyota and Pontiac are in stable condition, while the other child remains in critical condition at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Four other people in two different vehicles suffered minor injuries after the Pontiac struck a 2023 Ford Explorer, which then struck a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox.
The stolen vehicle came to a stop after crashing into a light post in the median between the north and southbound lanes of Macleod Trail.
Police have charged Nepoose with 11 charges, including robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, and dangerous driving causing bodily harm and death. He remains in custody.
Speed and drugs are being investigated as possible causes.
Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call them at 403-266-1234 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Fundraiser set up for family involved in crash
A fundraiser has been set up to help the family of the 9-year-old girl who died in the crash.
The GoFundMe started by Zara Wishloff has a goal of $200,000 and reached nearly $60,000 just before 3:30 p.m. on Friday.
“We are looking to get Trevor Desjardin’s family support to fund a funeral for Victoria as well as help with the long road of recovery that lays ahead for these ladies,” Wishloff said on the GoFundMe.
Wishloff says the funds are “to alleviate the financial burden on funeral decisions and to help with their journey of recovery that they will be facing.”
CityNews has reached out to Wishloff and will update the story when more information is available.
