Police have arrested a 21-year-old Guelph man after a stolen vehicle fled a RIDE program on Sunday and then crashed, killing a young female pedestrian.
Recent University of Guelph masters graduate Grace Glofcheskie, 24, of Arnprior, was pronounced dead at hospital.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the incident, which took place on Dec. 13 at around 3am.
Guelph Police officials, also investigating the incident, say Wellington County OPP officers were conducting a RIDE program at the intersection of Rose and Arthur Streets in Guelph.
“While attempting to stop and check a vehicle, the driver failed to stop for officers,” Guelph Police said in a press release.
Police say an officer “followed the route of the vehicle (identified as a 2007 Ford Escape) a short distance down the road” and discovered the vehicle had collided with a hydro pole on Woolwich Street near Charles Street, injuring a female pedestrian.
Glofcheskie “had just walked her friend home and was close to arriving at her own home when she was struck,” police say. She was transported to hospital with major injuries and pronounced dead.
The occupants of the vehicle – police believe the driver was joined by at least one other person – fled the scene.
The vehicle was reported stolen from the Eastview Road and Starwood Drive area prior to the incident.
On Dec. 15 Guelph Police announced a 21-year-old Guelph male was arrested at a motel in the city and charged with:
– break, enter and theft;
– possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000);
– criminal negligence causing death;
– dangerous driving causing death;
– flight from police causing death; and
– breach of probation.
As of press time, police were unable to release the name of the driver because he remained in police custody.
Guelph Police are seeking information about the incident from the public. Anyone with information can contact Sergeant Tina Ryan at 519-824-1212 ext. 7329, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
The SIU has assigned six investigators and three forensic investigators to probe the circumstances of the crash, as it does with all serious incidents involving police. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the lead SIU investigator at 1-800-787-8529 ext. 1886.
‘Amazingly bright’
Family and friends of Glofcheskie began posting memorials and personal messaged of grief on social media on Monday.
A Facebook account run by the University of Guelph’s College of Biological Science Student Council called the 24-year-old “an amazingly bright student, beautiful individual, but also, an incredible student leader.”
The post noted Glofcheskie was heavily involved as a fundraiser and advocate while she pursued her undergraduate degree in human kinetics and more recently as a masters student in the human health and nutritional sciences department.
“She gave 120% into her academics, her involvement on the Gryphons Varsity Golf Team, her position on [the student council] and to her friends and family …” the council posted. “The world has lost one of its brightest stars. You were taken from us incredibly too soon. We’ll be missing you.”
