Police investigate multi-vehicle collision – Update
Our Traffic Section and District 2 General Investigations Unit continue to investigate after a fatal collision resulted in the death of a young girl yesterday.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was initially deployed to determine whether the incident met the threshold for a full investigation. After reviewing available evidence, a determination was made that the actions of the involved officers did not directly contribute to the collision and therefore, ASIRT will have no further involvement in the matter.
At approximately 9:50 a.m., yesterday, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, a serious-injury collision occurred at the intersection of Macleod Trail and Southland Drive S.E.
At that time, it is believed a stolen 2015 Dodge Caravan, operated by a 30-year-old man, was travelling northbound on Macleod Trail S.E., driving erratically, weaving in and out of traffic.
The driver approached the intersection of Macleod Trail and Southland Drive S.E., failing to stop at a red light, and proceeded through the intersection at a high rate of speed. At the same time, a 2014 Toyota 4Runner, operated by a woman in her 40s, and a 2009 Pontiac Vibe, operated by a woman in her 40s with two child passengers, were both travelling westbound on Southland Drive S.E.
The driver of the Dodge Caravan struck both vehicles, resulting in the driver and two passengers of the Pontiac being transported to hospital in critical, life-threatening condition. Sadly, one of the children passengers succumbed to her injuries yesterday. The driver of the Toyota remains in the hospital in stable condition. The driver of the Pontiac also remains in the hospital in stable condition. The remaining child remains in critical condition at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
A secondary collision occurred when, as a result of the initial collision, the Pontiac struck a 2023 Ford Explorer that was in the left turning lane of southbound Macleod Trail S.E. The driver of the Ford, a man in his 50s, and a female passenger in her 50s, sustained minor injuries.
A 2015 Chevrolet Equinox was directly behind the Ford Explorer in the left turning lane and was also struck by the Pontiac and the Ford. The driver of the Equinox, a woman in her 40s, and a male passenger in his 30s, sustained minor injuries.
The Doge Caravan came to a rest after striking a light post in the median between the north and southbound lanes of Macleod Trail S.E.
As a result, Duane Arlen John NEPOOSE, 30, is charged with:
- one count of robbery
- one count of theft of a motor vehicle
- one count of flight from a police officer
- one count of dangerous driving
- one count of dangerous driving causing death
- one count of operating a vehicle without a licence
- one count of operating a vehicle without registration
- one count of operating a vehicle without insurance
- three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm
NEPOOSE is currently remanded in custody for a future date to be determined.
Speed and impairment by drugs are being investigated as potential contributing factors in this collision.
“We share the deep sadness felt by the family and loved ones who have had their lives forever changed by someone’s disregard for public safety,” says Acting Insp. Andy Woodward of the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section. “We continue to work with numerous areas and resources across the Service to fully investigate the circumstances of this collision. The Victim Assistance Support Team and other resources have been made available to those impacted by this incident.”
The incident remains under investigation, and anyone who witnessed the collision or may have footage from the area at the time of the incident is asked to contact police by calling 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 # CA24533761/4096