CTV Edmonton News is reporting 18-year-old Travis Hurlbert of Castlegar, B.C. has died after his Passat was struck by a Dodge in the intersection of Manning Drive and 167 Avenue in Edmonton on Wednesday.
Contacted by phone Friday morning, neither the Edmonton Police Service media relations department nor the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would verify the name of the deceased. Castlegar News has been unable to independently verify this information from official sources.
What follows is a release from the Edmonton Police Service:
At approximately 7:40 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, 2013, witnesses observed a speeding Dodge Avenger traveling south on Manning Drive approaching 167 Avenue. A Volkswagon Passat was turning west onto 167 Avenue from northbound Manning Drive when the collision occurred.
“The collision was catastrophic, the impact caused the Volkswagon Passat to rip in half and the Dodge Avenger caught on fire,” says Sgt. Margaret Raposo, of the Major Collision Investigation Section.
Witnesses reported seeing the 27-year-old male driver of the Dodge exit his vehicle and walk toward residential houses, where he allegedly jumped the fence and ran from the scene. Witnesses caught up to him and held him until police arrived. He was later treated and transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
An ambulance immediately transported the 18-year-old to hospital with a police escort, due to the seriousness of his injuries. At approximately 8:35 p.m., the teen was pronounced dead in hospital.
Derrick O'Connor, 27, is charged with criminal hit and run causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death. Additional charges are pending.