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Accident – Death – Obituary News :
The woman who tragically lost her life in a police pursuit that ended in a crash on Saturday has been identified as Kassandra Gartner from Fort Saskatchewan, a small town in Alberta, Canada.
The incident took place when Mounties were trying to stop a U-Haul truck that had allegedly rammed a police car on Saturday evening. The pursuit led to a tragic turn of events at the intersection of 50 Street and Highway 814 in Beaumont.
Kassandra Gartner, a 45-year-old mother of three, was not involved in the police chase. However, after hitting a tire deflation device laid by the authorities, she exited her SUV and was fatally struck by the U-Haul truck.
Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur paid tribute to Gartner for her dedication as the executive director of the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank. Katchur praised Gartner’s efforts in expanding the food bank to meet the community’s needs.
Kassandra Gartner began her journey with the food bank as a volunteer before rising to the position of executive director. Her sudden and tragic passing has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the community.
A vigil is scheduled to be held on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Fort Saskatchewan city hall to honor Kassandra’s memory.
The Search for the Suspect
Following the fatal collision, the driver of the U-Haul fled the scene and continued his reckless path, causing another crash with a separate vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle sustained serious injuries but is expected to recover.
The abandoned U-Haul truck was later discovered at a gas station near 50 Street and 22 Avenue in Edmonton, adding to the shocking turn of events.
The suspect then proceeded to steal a 2020 Honda Civic with a child inside. Thankfully, the child was safely dropped off near 66 Street and 25 Avenue. The Civic was later found abandoned outside the city.
The Edmonton Police Service is actively searching for the suspect described as approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, wearing a black hoodie with white text, brown shorts, and black shoes.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect is urged to contact the Beaumont RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
Additionally, a woman was also present in the U-Haul during the incident. While she was located at the gas station, it is unclear whether she is in custody or facing charges.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has initiated an investigation into the use of the tire deflation device that led to Kassandra Gartner’s untimely death.
ASIRT’s primary focus is to examine cases involving Alberta law enforcement that result in severe injury or loss of life, ensuring transparency and accountability.
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