Calgary man sentenced to 10 years for fatal police pursuit crash

Duane Nepoose, 32, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a high-speed crash in Calgary that killed a nine-year-old girl. The incident occurred on Boxing Day in 2024 when Nepoose, driving a stolen minivan, fled from police at speeds reaching at least 170 kilometres per hour.

During the pursuit, Nepoose drove through a red light and collided with several vehicles. One of the vehicles was carrying Victoria Desjardins and her family; the girl died in the hospital following the collision, while her mother and 12-year-old sister sustained serious injuries.

Nepoose pleaded guilty to charges including dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, robbery, and fleeing a police officer. Provincial Court Justice Indra Maharaj noted that Nepoose presented a serious risk to the public, though the judge provided credit for time already served in custody, resulting in a remaining term of 7 1/2 years. The defense requested a sentence of seven to nine years, while the Crown recommended between 9 1/2 and 10 1/2 years.