Four people were taken to hospital in life-threatening condition after a robbery suspect was involved in a multi-vehicle crash Thursday morning, police say.
“We were called at around 9:30 a.m. … for reports of a pharmacy robbery that occurred at Pharmasave Millrise, located at 15 Millrise Blvd. S.W.,” investigators said.
“It is believed the suspect assaulted a pharmacist and fled the scene in a stolen vehicle.”
After locating the vehicle, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop and continued driving at high rates of speed.
Police said due to the suspect’s unsafe driving behaviour as well as traffic in the area, they decided not to pursue the stolen vehicle on the ground, but instead used a HAWCS helicopter to monitor the suspect.
About 20 minutes later, the suspect ran a red light at Southland Drive and Macleod Trail S., hitting several vehicles in the process.
Four people were seriously injured in the crash and taken to hospital in critical condition.
The driver was arrested and charges and pending, police said.
ASIRT (Alberta Serious Incident Response Team) is investigating the initial contact police had with the suspect, while police are asking for witnesses to the collision to contact them at 403-266-1234 or online.