Calgary Boxing Day crash victim identified, mother and sister still in hospital

Charges laid in crash that killed 9-year-old girl Police have laid charges against a 30-year-old man following a Boxing Day crash that claimed the life of a nine-year-old girl.

A nine-year-old girl has died in hospital after the vehicle she was in was struck by a driver in a stolen vehicle fleeing from police.

Calgary police said the child was one of four people taken to hospital in life-threatening condition following a multi-vehicle crash at Southland Drive and Macleod Trail S. on Thursday.

Three victims of the crash, including the deceased, were identified by a family friend who established a GoFundMe to help out.

They are identified as Amanda Reitmeier, her 12-year-old daughter Madison and nine-year-old Victoria.

Zara Wishloff, president of APD Motor Parts Distributors, where Reitmeier works, organized the fundraiser.

Wishloff said Reitmeier has worked for them for more than 10 years, and he knows her children.

"Her daughters were in here very often, and everyone here knows them, so the news is quite tragic," he told CTV News in an interview on Friday.

"We set up the GoFundMe to help the family. They are going through an unimaginable trauma right now.

"The loss of a nine-year-old is unspeakable."

Pharmacy robbery preceded crash

Officials say the incident began as a robbery around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at a Pharmasave at 15 Millrise Blvd. S.W.

Police said a pharmacist was attacked and their vehicle was stolen, and the suspect fled the scene at a high rate of speed, refusing to stop for police.

HAWCS followed the vehicle, police said, but it ran a red light at Southland Drive and Macleod Trail, colliding with four other vehicles.

A man was arrested at the scene.

Duane Arlen John Nepoose, 30, has been charged with robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, flight from police, dangerous driving, dangerous driving causing death and three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, as well as operating a vehicle without a licence, operating a vehicle without registration and operating a vehicle without insurance.

He remains in custody, awaiting a court date.

The fourth person taken to hospital from the scene has been identified only as a woman in her 40s.

Police said that person remains in hospital in stable condition.

Reitmeier also remains in hospital in stable condition.

The other child remains in critical condition at Alberta Children's Hospital.

A man and a woman in their 50s, in another vehicle, suffered minor injuries.

A woman in her 40s and a man in his 30s, in yet another vehicle, suffered minor injuries.

"We share the deep sadness felt by the family and loved ones who have had their lives forever changed by someone's disregard for public safety," said Acting Insp. Andy Woodward of the Calgary Police Service traffic unit in a release issued Friday.

"We continue to work with numerous areas and resources across the service to fully investigate the circumstances of this collision.

"The Victim Assistance Support Team and other resources have been made available to those impacted by this incident."

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was called in the aftermath of the crash.

ASIRT is the province's police watchdog.

Police said Friday that ASIRT determined "the actions of the involved officers did not directly contribute to the collision."

Investigation into Thursday's incident is ongoing, and anyone who witnessed the collision or has footage of the collision is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

(With files from Tyler Barrow)