Charges laid in fatal hit and run that left Calgary man dead, girlfriend and baby in hospital
Damon William Wilson faces 6 charges after allegedly speeding Feb. 18 on Macleod Trail
More than six months after a Calgary man, his girlfriend and her baby were mowed down by an SUV, charges have been laid in the fatal hit and run following what police describe as an "extensive" investigation.
On Feb. 18, Blade Crow, 21, was killed while Aliyah Ramirez-Bernard and her one-year-old daughter were badly injured as they walked to Chinook Centre Mall.
Just after 8 p.m., Crow, Ramirez-Bernard and her daughter Ember — who was in a stroller — were standing on a traffic island at the corner of Macleod Trail and Glenmore Trail.
Investigators allege Damon William Wilson, 29, was driving an SUV that failed to make a right-hand turn onto Glenmore Trail from Macleod.
Mother, daughter required surgery
The vehicle plowed into the three victims as they stood on a raised pedestrian island.
The SUV continued south over two more raised islands, striking a snowbank at the edge of the road before skidding to a stop.
The driver got out of the GMC Terrain and fled. Police found and arrested the suspect shortly after at a nearby Tim Hortons.
Crow died at the scene. Ramirez-Bernard and her daughter were taken to hospital in life-threatening condition but have since been released.
The two survivors suffered multiple broken bones and required surgery, according to Crow's father.
Crow was working as a roofer after recently moving back to Calgary from Vancouver.
His father said Crow's "whole world was his girlfriend and that child."
Wilson now faces charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm and failing to stop at the scene of an accident as well as dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Police say they believe excessive speed was a factor in the fatal crash.
"Our thoughts are with the surviving victims and their friends and family, who all continue to be impacted by this collision," said Sgt. Colin Foster in a written statement.
"This is a sobering reminder for all drivers of the irreversible and tragic consequences of driving at excessive speeds."
Wilson is due back in court in October.