At about 6:54 p.m., CPS received a complaint of a silver Acura travelling at a high rate of speed in the 1300 block of 17 Avenue in southwest Calgary. Police initially located the vehicle driving through the intersection of 17 Avenue and 37 Street, but were unable to maintain contact. At about 6:58 p.m., police again located the vehicle stopped at the intersection of 69 Street and 17 Avenue, and initiated a traffic stop just west of 69 Street on 17 Avenue. The Acura pulled over, but before police could speak with the driver, the vehicle pulled away at a high rate of speed.
Police remained at the location of the traffic stop and did not follow the vehicle. After remaining stopped for approximately two minutes, the officers continued westbound on 17 Avenue before arriving at an accident scene involving two pedestrians, a 40-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman, who had been struck by the silver Acura while crossing 17 Avenue at 85 Street. The pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene, while the 52-year-old man who was driving the Acura was transported by ambulance to hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the actions of police during this incident, while CPS will retain responsibility for the investigation into the 52-year-old driver and his actions. ASIRT is seeking witnesses to this incident, and is asking any members of the public who may have witnessed these events or who may have video of either the traffic stop or the collision, to please contact investigators at 403-592-4306. With ASIRT’s investigation underway, no further information will be released at this time.
ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.
This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.