A 9-year-old girl has tragically died after an alleged thief in a stolen vehicle plowed into a family car.
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The terrible incident occurred on Boxing Day in Calgary, Canada. According to CTV News, police announced a multi-vehicle car crash, claiming the life of a child. Victoria Desjardins, 9, her sister Madison, 12, and her mother, Amanda Reitmeier, were all rushed to the hospital in a life-threatening condition following the crash. Victoria didn't survive the ordeal.
Police have filed 11 charges against the driver of the stolen vehicle, Duane Arlen Nepoose, 30. Authorities arrested him at the scene. According to the CTV News report, the charges include robbery, theft of a vehicle, and dangerous driving, causing bodily harm and death.
The police report that events began around 9:30 am when Nepoose visited a Pharmasave. The suspect assaulted a Pharmacist on the premises, robbed the store, and allegedly stole his car.
The Thief Was Arrested At The Scene
The incident was reported to authorities, and police caught up with the vehicle, but Nepoose refused to stop. Police report that the suspect reached speeds of 180KPH (112 MPH). At around 10:00 am, the vehicle sped through a red light at the intersection of Southland Drive and Macleod Trail. The stolen car hit multiple vehicles at the intersection, including the one belonging to the Desjardins. The family car took the brunt of the impact while other motorists and passengers escaped with minor injuries.
According to the CTV report, the police are "looking at drug impairment and speed as factors in the crash."
Since the incident, Zara Wishloff, President of APD Motor Parts Distributors, where Amanda is employed, has set up a GoFundMe page to help the family with medical costs. In an interview, Wishloff said about the family: "Her daughters were in here very often, and everyone here knows them, so the news is quite tragic. The loss of a nine-year-old is unspeakable."
The fundraiser has raised CAD 167,542 of the CAD 200,000 target at the time of writing. The GoFundMe page notes that they are seeking funds for Victoria's funeral along with "help with the long road of recovery that lays ahead for these ladies."
