Man charged in relation to collision involving cannabis impairment

We have charged a man in relation to a single-vehicle collision that occurred in May 2022, claiming the life of a 24-year-old woman.

At around 3:50 p.m., on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, police were called to Third Street S.W. near Seventh Avenue S.W., for reports of a serious-injury collision that was initially believed to involve a pedestrian. Further investigation by the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section revealed the pedestrian had actually been a passenger who was thrown from the vehicle during the incident.

A black Kia Soul, operated by a 26-year-old man with a 24-year-old woman in the front passenger seat, was stopped on the west side of the road facing south. The Kia suddenly reversed and turned facing north, crossing the road as it did so. During the sudden movements, the passenger fell out of the front passenger door and was run over by the vehicle. The Kia then struck a parked and unoccupied vehicle on the east side of the road.

The injured passenger was trapped under the vehicle and bystanders rushed to help free her. Sadly, she suffered fatal injuries and died a short time later at hospital.

The driver was found unconscious at the scene and transported to hospital for treatment.

Following our investigations, police found the driver of the Kia was operating a motor vehicle with a quantity of THC, from cannabis, that was over the legal limit.

As a result, we have charged Steven Nathaniel WATKINS, 26, of Calgary, with operating a motor vehicle while impaired, and operating a motor vehicle while impaired causing death.

WATKINS will next appear in court on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023.  

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

APP: P3 Tips

Case #CA22216997