Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Beaumont RCMP have released higher-quality photos of the suspect involved in a hit-and-run collision while fleeing police on Saturday that took the life of a woman and seriously injured a man.
According to reports, RCMP officers attempted to stop the suspect and a U-Haul cube van at around 9 p.m. on Feb. 24 in Beaumont. The RCMP had deemed the vehicle suspicious after receiving a call about a suspect allegedly stealing packages from porches.
The situation escalated when the U-Haul, with a male driver and female passenger inside, rammed into the RCMP vehicle and fled the scene. As the U-Haul truck headed north into Edmonton, RCMP deployed a tire-deflation device (spike belt) which disabled three civilian vehicles in the process.
Tragically, a 45-year-old woman, identified as mother-of-three Kassandra Gartner, was struck and killed by the U-Haul as she got out of her vehicle. The suspect vehicle then collided with another civilian vehicle, leaving a man in serious but non-life-threatening condition, according to the RCMP.
Police say the suspect vehicle eventually stopped outside a 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station off 22nd Avenue and 50th Street Southwest. At that point, someone in the U-Haul stole a Honda Civic that had a child inside. The child was later found unharmed at 66th Street and 25th Avenue, while the suspect fled the scene in the stolen car.
The stolen car was recovered by police on Monday morning near Wainwright, Alta. However, the RCMP continue to search for the suspect involved in the fatal hit-and-run collision.
Description of the Suspect
The suspect is described as having a thin build, standing approximately 5 foot 11 inches tall. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie with white text on the front, brown shorts, and black shoes.
RCMP are urging anyone who recognizes the suspect to call 911 or their local police department. Beaumont RCMP can be reached at 780-929-7400.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
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