The man responsible for a collision that killed a nine-year-old girl in 2024 is expected to learn his sentence. Duane Nepoose, who pled guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, dangerous operation causing bodily harm, robbery and fleeing a police officer is expected to be sentenced Thursday. On Boxing Day in 2024, the now-31-year-old robbed a pharmacy then stole a minivan and was speeding when he ran a red light, slamming into the side of another vehicle. In total, five vehicles were involved in the crash that happened at the intersection of Macleod Trail and Southland Drive. Nine-year-old Victoria Desjardins was killed. Seven others, including Victoria’s older sister and their mother, were hurt. All three of them were rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition. An agreed statement of facts says police helicopter said Nepoose driving 170 kilometres per hour when the crash took place. Nepoose’s sentencing has faced multiple delays due to forensic risk assessments and arguments. His defence is asking for no more than nine years, including credit for time already served, and a five-year driving ban after his sentence. The Crown prosecutor previously argued Nepoose should be sentenced to between nine and a half and 10 and a half years, along with a lifetime driving and weapons ban. Nepoose is expected to be sentenced in a Calgary court room Thursday afternoon.
