Speed, alcohol factors in fatal crash - cops
Kyler Hunter-Astle, 22, Layla Rodgerson, 14, and Owen Fairweather, 17, were killed in high-speed accident on Douglas Avenue on May 5; two others injured are doing well, say police
The car involved in a spectacular crash that claimed the lives of three young people on Fredericton’s north side this spring was moving at between 138 and 174 kilometres per hour, police report.
The Fredericton Police Force issued a news release Friday updating the status of its investigation into a May 5 accident on Douglas Avenue that killed Kyler Hunter-Astle, 22; Layla Rodgerson, 14; and Owen Fairweather, 17.
At the time, police reported that an officer on patrol spotted a suspect vehicle speeding at about 1 a.m. May 5.
The officer activated the police vehicle’s emergency lights, the force said, but the officer quickly lost sight of the car as it took off along Douglas Avenue.
Shortly thereafter, the suspect car crashed along Douglas Avenue. The police force reported it believes the car struck a street curb, became airborne, hit a tree and landed on top another occupied vehicle.
The three young victims died in the crash, and two other occupants in the same car, both teenagers, sustained serious injuries as well, police said.
The four adults in the other car, on which the suspect vehicle had landed, sustained minor injuries.
On Friday, the Fredericton Police Force issued a brief statement on the ongoing investigation.
“The accident reconstruction report has been completed, revealing that both speed and alcohol were significant factors in the collision,” it said, noting the car’s speed at the time of the crash was determined to be between 138 km/hour and 174 km/hour.
“Unfortunately, none of the occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.”
The two survivors who’d been in the suspect vehicle are doing well now, the release said.
Months after the incident, the police force said, there’s still some question as to who was at the wheel of the car.
“The investigation continues and our detectives are diligently pursuing leads to conclusively identify the driver,” the release said. “No charges have been laid to date.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Rodgerson’s mother, Becky Arseneault, launched an awareness campaign called “Love for Layla.”
It consists of the distribution of decals or bumper stickers meant to be affixed to cars in the capital to remind people of the crash and the loss of life. The intent is for people to remember the importance of arriving home safely to their loved ones.
The Fredericton Independent can be reached at ftonindependent@gmail.com.
Still wondering why tf a grown person was hanging out w teenagers
Link to purchase stickers ?