Native Youth Implicated In Fatal Crash
Monday, April 02, 2007 at 16:17
A 17-year-old male from the Starblanket First Nation is believed to be the driver of a stolen pickup that slammed into a mini-van near Regina over the weekend — killing a 10-year-old girl.
The Mounties say the pickup was erratically swerving across both lanes of the highway, before it veered into the path of the oncoming mini-van — striking it on the side.
The pickup had been involved in a high-speed chase with police — although RCMP spokesman Sgt. Brad Kaeding says the Mounties had broken off pursuit before the crash took place late Saturday afternoon.
Both vehicles ended up in the ditch.
Six members of the victim’s family were in the minivan, as well — and were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash.
The 17-year-old suspect and a 49-year-old male passenger from Regina are scheduled to make their first court appearances in Regina tomorrow on several charges — including theft of a vehicle, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, impaired driving causing death and
flight from police causing death.