November 8, 2024

Arrest made in fatal U-Haul truck hit-and-run: RCMP

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A suspect wanted in connection with a deadly hit-and-run that killed a Fort Saskatchewan woman this past weekend in Edmonton has been arrested.

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Alberta RCMP confirmed to Postmedia on Wednesday morning that an individual was arrested in Wainwright, located approximately 206 km southeast of Edmonton, and that more details would be released later today.

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The hit-and-run collision killed 45-year-old Kassandra Gartner, a Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank executive director.

On Tuesday, Beaumont RCMP released a pair of photos of a suspect wanted in connection with the hit-and-run in hopes of identifying them.

“Additional details are not available on this quickly developing investigation at this time,” said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff in a Wednesday news release. “As this investigation develops and/or charges are laid further updates will be provided.”

Beaumont RCMP A pair of photos released by Beaumont RCMP of a suspect wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run involving a U-Haul truck that killed a 45-year-old Fort Saskatchewan woman. Photo by Supplied Photos /RCMPASIRT investigating

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The dramatic scene began to unfold around 9 p.m. Saturday with the suspicious U-Haul thought to be involved in thefts on the outskirts of the city near Beaumont. Gartner got out of her car to investigate flattened tires punctured by an RCMP spike belt laid down within Edmonton city limits.RCMP said the tire deflation device deployed at 9:35 p.m. was intended for the rented 15-foot cube truck which was on the run after ramming a Beaumont RCMP car that had stopped on 50 Street in Beaumont to investigate the driver, who was suspected in the theft of delivered packages.

The driver reportedly rammed a police vehicle and fled the scene.

The suspect’s rental vehicle had been observed at 50 Street and Highway 814 in Beaumont travelling at a high rate of speed. Officers stayed with the spike belt when it was deployed and Gartner’s vehicle hit it at 9:37 p.m., police said.

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  • The badly damaged rental truck was abandoned shortly after slamming into the second civilian vehicle and seriously wounding its occupant.

    A Honda Civic that was parked outside a convenience store at the corner of 50 Street and 22 Avenue SW was stolen at 9:41 p.m. Saturday, police said.

    The stolen Honda Civic was found abandoned outside of Wainwright early Monday morning.

    The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has launched an independent investigation and the RCMP is conducting an internal review of its actions.

    More to come.

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