A man has been charged with impaired driving causing death in connection with a deadly crash on Edmonton’s Capilano Bridge earlier this summer.
In a news release issued Friday, the Edmonton Police Service said 23-year-old Tryton Desjarlais, of Edmonton, has been charged with impaired operation causing death, two counts of impaired operation causing bodily harm, “impaired operation over 80 mgs%,” dangerous driving causing death, two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and one count of driving while unauthorized.
The charges stem from a collision that occurred on the Capilano Bridge on Wayne Gretzky Drive at about 3 a.m. on June 25.
Police and paramedics were called to the scene after a pickup truck collided with an SUV. Police said a 20-year-old passenger in the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the SUV was taken to hospital in critical condition, “where he remains today.”
Police said Desjarlais was driving the pickup truck. He was also taken to hospital in critical condition while a 21-year-old woman who was also in the truck was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
According to police, investigators believe the pickup truck was headed north in the southbound lanes of Wayne Gretzky Drive “at a high rate of speed” when the collision occurred.
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They said the truck almost hit an EPS vehicle that happened to be on the bridge at the same time and then hit the SUV.
Earlier this summer, a family friend of the woman who died in the Capilano Bridge crash identified her as Jayda Mitchell and said she was from Toronto.
Mitchell was in Edmonton to visit a friend when the crash happened.
On a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Mitchell’s funeral, her mother described her as a “beacon of light in (her) life.”
“Her vibrant spirit, her infectious laughter and her compassionate heart touched the lives of all who knew her. She possessed a zest for life that was unparalleled, and her dreams and aspirations filled her days with boundless hope. Jayda was a remarkable young woman, radiating kindness and love wherever she went.”
On Friday, Mitchell’s family told Global News they are helping to launch a non-profit organization in her memory that will be “dedicated to empowering adolescents who suffer from mental health issues.”
“Jayda’s compassion and empathy for others — especially those struggling with mental health challenges — have inspired us to channel our grief into creating a positive impact.”
In an Aug. 11 statement, Mitchell’s mother Shannon said news of the charges being laid “has stirred a whirlwind of emotions.”
“Relief and a sense of vindication provide some comfort, yet the ache of her absence persists. It’s a step towards justice, yet the void left by her absence remains.
“Each day presents its own challenges, but I’m learning to find peace in cherished memories and the support of loved ones. Grief has reshaped my perspective, inspiring me to embrace life’s precious moments and honor her memory through my actions and resilience,” Shannon wrote.
As of Friday afternoon, police said there have been a total of 12 fatal crashes on Edmonton roads in 2023, leaving 15 people dead.
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