RCMP to provide update on fatal Edmonton U-Haul hit and run

Alberta RCMP are expected to provide an update Thursday afternoon on the investigation into a deadly hit-and-run collision involving a U-Haul in Edmonton over the weekend.

Assistant central Alberta district officer Supt. Leanne MacMillan is scheduled to speak to the media at 1 p.m. Global News will live stream the news conference in this story post.

On Saturday, Beaumont RCMP were trying to stop a man suspected of stealing packages in the community south of Edmonton when he took off in a U-Haul, driving towards Edmonton.

RCMP put out a spike belt in an attempt to stop the U-Haul. The tire-deflation device also disabled three civilian vehicles in the process.

One of the drivers, Kassandra Gartner, a 45-year-old mother of three, was killed when she got out of her vehicle and was struck by the U-Haul, which then sped away north on 50th Street into Edmonton.

1:46 Fort Saskatchewan mom Kassandra Gartner identified as U-Haul hit-and-run victim

The suspect vehicle then collided with another civilian vehicle, leaving a man in serious non-life-threatening condition, RCMP said.

The U-Haul driver took off in a stolen Honda Civic, which was found in Wainwright on Monday, according to the RCMP.

Police said the suspect was arrested Tuesday night in the Wainwright area.

A candlelight vigil to honour Gartner is planned for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Fort Saskatchewan City Hall.

Gartner was a community leader, who worked as the executive director of the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank.

— more to come…