UPDATE: Shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday, the EPS provided an update on the case and said the stolen Honda Civic was recovered earlier in that morning near Wainwright, Alta. However, police continue to look for the suspect who was driving it.
A 45-year-old woman is dead and police in the Edmonton area are searching for a male suspect after a hit-and-run Saturday night, according to the RCMP.
At around 9:40 p.m., the Edmonton Police Service said it was asked by the RCMP to send officers to the area of 50th Street and 22th Avenue S.W.
Edmonton police were told that RCMP had tried to approach a U-Haul truck in Beaumont, Alta., that they deemed to be suspicious at about 9 p.m.
The RCMP said that the truck was outside of a business and that when officers “approached the truck and attempted an arrest, one male driver and one female passenger rammed into a police vehicle and fled the scene at a high rate of speed.”
“Patrols were initiated to find the truck and, a short time later, it was observed on 50th Street and Highway 814 in Beaumont,” the RCMP said in a news release. “Meanwhile, (the) Edmonton Police Service’s Air One Helicopter was notified and provided its location to RCMP members.
“Multiple surrounding RCMP detachments, including Leduc and Strathcona, responded to assist. As the truck was driving into Edmonton, a tire-deflation device was deployed by RCMP, disabling multiple civilian vehicles.
“Consequently, an adult female exited one of the civilian vehicles and was fatally struck by the suspect truck. The truck failed to stop and continued driving into Edmonton.
“The suspect vehicle then collided with another civilian vehicle, leaving an adult male in serious non-life-threatening condition. The truck was located at 50th Street and 22nd Avenue in southwest Edmonton.”
Police reported that the U-Haul was travelling north on 50th Street into Edmonton when it struck and killed the woman.
Edmonton police allege the suspect vehicle then stopped just outside a gas station off of 22nd Avenue and 50th Street, before someone in the truck stole a Honda Civic that was parked outside the gas station. They said the car had a child inside.
Edmonton police said they considered sending out an Amber Alert at the time, but moments later the child was found unharmed in the area of 66th Street and 25th Avenue. The suspect then fled the scene in the Honda Civic, police said.
On Sunday, Edmonton police described the event as an RCMP incident that “spilled into Edmonton.”
Investigators are still looking for the stolen car and the suspect.
The suspect is described as five feet 11 inches and was last seen wearing a black hoodie with white text on the front. He was also wearing brown shorts and black shoes.
The vehicles is described as a dark grey, four-door Honda Civic with Alberta licence plate E98-099.
“We are doing everything we can to track down the suspect,” said Det. Nigel Phillips with EPS’ investigative response team. “We trust the public will help us identify and locate him as soon as possible.”
“On behalf of the RCMP, I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family members of the victim,” said Supt. Leanne MacMillian of the RCMP.
“This is a devastating incident that will leave a mark on family and friends for years to come.”
“Please understand that you will be in our thoughts as we progress through this investigation.”
The RCMP said Alberta’s police watchdog has been tasked with conducting an independent investigation into the actions of police officers in connection with the series of events.
The RCMP said it will also be conducting its own internal review.
Anyone with information about the suspect or the stolen vehicle, is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Beaumont is located about 30 kilometres south of downtown Edmonton.
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