The victims killed in a Wednesday crash in southeast Calgary have been identified as Ritvik Bale and his sister Rashmi.
Ritvik was driving the red sedan involved in a crash with a black pickup truck; Rashmi was a passenger. Police previously said both were in their 20s.
Family and friends are now dealing with the double tragedy.
A high school friend spent Canada Day with Ritvik and is still in shock at the loss.
“We were playing video games and having a good time and everything and he’s just gone — like that,” Tanner Jennings told Global News.
Jennings said Rashmi’s passing is also hitting hard.
“I’m devastated for their family; I’m so sorry for their loss… I can’t believe… I can’t imagine what they are going through right now.”
Police investigators say they are still discussing the possibility of charges with the Crown prosecutors against the driver of the truck, but no decision had been made as of Friday.
“A 39-year-old male was operating a black pickup truck through the intersection at 130 Avenue and left that location at a fairly high rate of speed,” Sgt. Colin Foster said Wednesday. “The vehicle then struck a car that was coming out of the Canadian Tire superstore.
“As a result of that collision, the driver of the red [vehicle] was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Police said the black truck was still impounded at the police garage for evidence review on Friday.
Co-owner of Trevi Pools and Spa Paul Tallon said the driver of the pickup truck has epilepsy and may have had a seizure at the time. Tallon said he was undergoing tests in hospital Wednesday afternoon.
Police confirmed they are looking at the pickup driver’s pre-existing medical condition as a possible factor in the crash. Investigators said neither drugs nor alcohol were factors.
Watch below from Aug. 3: Calgary police have confirmed they are looking at a pre-existing medical condition as a possible cause to a fatal crash in a southeast shopping area. Jill Croteau reports.
By law, Alberta drivers are required to report any health condition that may affect their ability to drive.
“Where the person knows they have a medical condition like epilepsy or diabetes, in those situations the courts will look at if the person behaved reasonably in the circumstances,” said Lorian Hardcastle, a University of Calgary associate professor who specializes in health and tort law. “So, had the person talked to their doctor and the doctor said, ‘It’s fine if you drive’?”
Hardcastle said in most provinces, doctors must report if someone has a medical condition to provincial licensing authorities.
“In Alberta, doctors can report that information to motor vehicles, but it’s voluntary on the part of the doctor.”
Click here to read the Alberta government’s guidelines on driving and medical conditions
With files from Global’s Heide Pearson, Mia Sosiak and Jill Croteau
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