By Angela Brown

Accused in fatal crash appearing in N.B. court Thursday

Sep 27, 2017 | 11:33 AM

A man facing charges related to a fatal crash Sept. 22 near Lloydminster that killed three women is scheduled to appear in North Battleford court Thursday.

Brandon Stucka, 26, has been charged with criminal negligence causing death, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, flight from police, possession of property obtained by crime, and breach of undertaking.

At about 3 a.m., Friday, a heavy duty, flat-deck truck collided with a minivan in the eastbound lane on Highway 16.  

Police were reported to have been pursuing the truck prior to the collision. Police determined the truck was stolen.

The crash happened after officers investigated three suspicious vehicles in the area and located them near the junction of Highway 303 and Highway 16, at roughly 2:30 a.m. 

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Before the crash, police attempted to pull over a three-quarter ton, heavy duty, flat deck truck, but the vehicle fled the scene. A pursuit was initiated, but according to a media release from the provincial division, members terminated the pursuit after directed by a supervisor.

Two women, aged 37 and 35 were pronounced dead at the scene, while a 53-year-old woman later died of her injuries. A 32-year-old woman remains in critical condition in the Edmonton hospital. The women, who were members of Edmonton’s Liberian community, were travelling to Minnesota to visit family when the collision occurred.

Stucka, who is in custody, will be appearing Thursday at 11 a.m. via closed circuit video.

Maidstone RCMP continue to investigate.  

– With files from Roger White

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow