Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of up to 10.5 years for a Calgary man who ran a red light at high speed on Boxing Day 2024, killing a nine-year-old girl and injuring several others. Crown lawyer Todd Buziak described Duane Nepoose as a 'bomb waiting to go off' during sentencing submissions on Wednesday.
Details of the Crime
Nepoose, 31, pleaded guilty last June to multiple charges, including dangerous driving causing death, in connection with the fatal crash that killed Victoria Desjardins. The incident occurred on December 26, 2024, when Nepoose, driving a stolen van, ran a red light at high speed on northbound Macleod Trail at Southland Drive, colliding with two other vehicles.
The crash resulted in the death of nine-year-old Victoria Desjardins and caused bodily harm to her mother, Amanda Reitmeier, and her older sister, as well as another motorist. Shocking video footage from the HAWCS police helicopter captured Nepoose driving at speeds up to 170 km/h on multiple streets in Calgary's south before the collision.
Psychiatric Assessment and Criminal History
Buziak cited a psychiatric assessment that deemed Nepoose a high risk to reoffend, noting his history of violent crimes, including drug debt collection and reactive violence. The prosecutor emphasized that Nepoose had failed earlier attempts at substance abuse rehabilitation.
'Mr. Nepoose's current risk of future violent behaviour is high,' Buziak told Justice Indra Maharaj, proposing a sentence in the range of 9.5 to 10.5 years. He added, 'We're dealing with an individual who is, as far as society is concerned, a bomb waiting to go off.'
Court Proceedings
The court is yet to hear victim impact statements and submissions from the defence. The case has drawn significant attention due to the tragic loss of a young life and the reckless nature of Nepoose's actions.
More details are expected as the sentencing hearing continues.
