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A 24-year-old North Battleford woman who died in a crash involving a Correctional Service Canada transport vehicle in eastern Alberta was a member of Poundmaker First Nation.
Poundmaker First Nation officials identified the woman as Kiara Mooswa. RCMP have not released the names of the people who died, saying they are still protecting the integrity of the investigation and giving families time to share information through their own processes.
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Provost RCMP said officers were called at 11:22 a.m. on Wednesday to the intersection of Highways 13 and 41, where a Hino box truck collided with a Correctional Service Canada minivan carrying two correctional officers and a female inmate.
The three people in the corrections vehicle — Mooswa, a 25-year-old woman from Winnipeg and a 57-year-old man from Sherwood Park, Alta. — were confirmed dead at the scene.
The driver of the box truck was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and was the only occupant in the vehicle. Staff Sgt. James Morton said police are following up with the driver as part of the investigation.
Officials would not say where the inmate was being taken, whether the occupants were restrained or where they were seated in the van. Morton said collision reconstructionists are working to determine the vehicles’ directions of travel, speeds and occupant positions, and whether there is any criminal culpability.
The collision remains under investigation by RCMP, with the Edmonton medical examiner’s office also involved. Corrections Canada said a review is conducted whenever a federally sentenced offender dies in custody, and a public inquest or similar process could be a potential outcome.
Lawrence Hartigan, speaking for Correctional Service Canada, called it an “incredibly sad time” for the public safety community.
“We come to grips with the loss of the two correctional officers from EIFW, and they lost their lives while carrying out their duties, transporting an offender who also passed in the accident,” Hartigan said.
Hartigan said many people are grieving, including those who worked directly with offenders.
“It’s devastating,” he said. “It’s a tragic accident.”
Morton said victim services support has been offered to families, and RCMP have reached out to community leaders in the affected areas.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also posted condolences on social media, saying correctional officers do difficult work to keep Canadians and communities safe.
—with files from battlefordsNOW’s Alyssa Rudolph
