Watch above: a heart breaking tragedy in Saskatoon has left two teenagers dead
SASKATOON – Two teens are dead and a third was seriously injured after a stolen pickup truck crashed into two other vehicles Monday evening in Saskatoon.
Police say a patrol officer spotted the stolen truck at Avenue H and 29th Street West around 8 p.m.
He began following the vehicle and attempted to stop the truck at Avenue M and 20th Street West by activating his emergency equipment.
At that point the driver sped away.
“Our officer’s vehicle slowed right down, did not pursue that vehicle because he could see that this was not going to end well if there was a pursuit,” said Saskatoon police Chief Clive Weighill, who also said he has watched the video of the incident.
“We have the whole event on video, it’s a happening of 17 to 18 seconds, that’s how quick this event happened.”
The truck crashed into two vehicles at Avenue M and 22nd Street West, forcing one of the vehicles into a building at the intersection.
Two 17 year olds in that vehicle, a male and a female, were killed in the crash.
A third person in the car, a 16-year-old female, is in hospital with what police believe to be life-threatening injuries.
Two people in the third vehicle were treated at the scene but refused further medical care.
Two women in the stolen truck, the 21-year-old driver and a 17-year-old youth, were treated at hospital for injuries and then released into police custody where they are facing numerous charges.
A frustrated Chief Weighill stated both have been previously charged for stealing vehicles – in this case the keys were left in the truck’s ignition.
“We repeatedly ask people not to leave keys in their cars. Over 70 per cent of the vehicles being stolen in the city right now have the keys left in the vehicle or near the vehicle,” stated Weighill.
Watch below: “This is probably one of the saddest days since I’ve been chief of police in the City of Saskatoon,” Chief Clive Weighill’s press conference
Since April 1, 39 youths have been arrested in Saskatoon for stealing vehicles.
Officers from major crimes and the collision analyst unit continue to investigate.
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