A hit and run Friday night has claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy from the rural municipality of St. Andrews.
RCMP say they responded to a collision Friday night just before midnight.
The investigation determined two 15-year-old boys were riding bikes on the shoulder of Donald Road, just off Highway 9, near Lockport, when a vehicle went off the road and struck them both.
One boy was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was brought to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
He’s currently listed in stable condition.
“I was shocked and saddened,” George Pike, the mayor of the RM of St. Andrews said. “I was at a meeting early this morning and there was a lot of people talking about it, quite shocked about it, they’re feeling sorry for the family.”
The driver fled on foot after his vehicle became disabled and was quickly tracked down with help from police dog services, police said.
RCMP said driving while impaired by drugs is considered a factor in the collision.
“Very unusual for our municipality,” Pike said. “A stolen truck at midnight with boys riding on their bicycles, everything had to come together at the wrong time, unfortunately, this was the result.”
Pike said it’s important the community come together at a time like this. He added council members will be holding a moment of silence ahead of Tuesday’s council meeting.
On Sunday, RCMP released the name and charges laid upon the driver of the vehicle.
Justin Joseph Little, 29, of Calgary, has been charged with the following:
- Impaired operation of a motor vehicle, by a drug, causing death
- Impaired operation of a motor vehicle, by a drug, causing bodily harm
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm
- Failure to remain at the scene of an accident where a person is deceased
- Failure to remain at the scene of an accident where a person is injured
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Mischief under $5,000
- Fail to comply with recognizance
Investigators say Little has been remanded into custody.