Friday, March 9, 2012

Woman dead, police officer injured in south-side collision


EDMONTON - An 84-year-old woman is dead and a police officer is in hospital with serious injuries after a “catastrophic” two-vehicle crash in south Edmonton Thursday morning.
Police Chief Rod Knecht said the injured officer was on duty and driving an unmarked police car at the time of the crash.
“I am looking to meet with the family of the deceased as soon as possible, so I can personally express my condolences on behalf of the Edmonton Police Service and myself,” Knecht said. He said he also planned to visit the hospital to provide support to the injured officer and his family.
Knecht said he asked the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team to investigate the crash.
ASIRT has a mandate to investigate any incident where the actions of police cause serious injury or death.
“ASIRT is conducting an independent investigation into this incident,” executive director Clif Purvis said at the scene. “We are receiving the co-operation and assistance of the Edmonton Police Service.”
He said the injured officer is a six-year member of the force who works in a surveillance unit out of the southeast division. He was described as having serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The names of the woman and officer have not been released. Knecht said families are still being contacted.
The collision happened about 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of 76th Avenue and 75th Street.
Purvis said the officer was driving north on 75th Street in a Nissan Altima. The woman was southbound in a Volkswagen Jetta and appears to have been trying to turn left when the cars collided.

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