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The man who killed a nine-year-old girl after blowing a red light is a “bomb waiting to go off,” the Crown told a judge Wednesday in his sentencing arguments.
Prosecutor Todd Buziak made the comments in a Calgary court after referencing a pre-sentence report that described Duane Nepoose as a “very high risk for violent recidivism.”
Nepoose has a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for crimes of violence, and once worked as a drug debt collector, according to Buziak.
Sentencing arguments are underway for Nepoose’s most recent crimes: on Dec. 26, 2024, the 31-year-old stole a minivan from a pharmacist in Calgary, fled police and crashed into a vehicle, killing a nine-year-old girl and severely injuring her mother and sister.
Last June, Nepoose pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm, robbery and fleeing police.
On Wednesday, Buziak asked Justice Indra Maharaj to consider a sentence of up to 10 and a half years in prison.
‘I am broken’
“We’re dealing with an individual who is, as far as society is concerned, a bomb waiting to go off,” said Buziak.
As part of the hearing, 13 victim impact statements were filed with the court including one written and read aloud by the young victim’s mother, Amanda Reitmeier, who described herself as “broken.”
“This day will never be forgotten,” said Reitmeier through tears.
“I was helpless; one daughter was injured and I couldn’t be there to take care of her in the hospital, I couldn’t help her heal because I was injured and another daughter who wasn’t going to make it.”
Stolen van going 180 km/h
Details of the crime come from video played during Nepoose’s guilty plea as well as an agreed statement of facts.
The court heard that after he stole the minivan, the pharmacist called 911. About 20 minutes later, police spotted the vehicle.
Officers tried to pull him over, but Nepoose sped away, blowing through red lights.
Calgary police’s helicopter captured Nepoose’s next moves. The video shows Nepoose reached speeds of 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone along Tsuut’ina Trail.
Body-worn video
The driver ended up on Macleod Trail and Southland Drive, where he blew through yet another red light, crashing into several vehicles, including a compact Pontiac.
Reitmeier was driving the car, transporting her two daughters, Victoria and Madison Desjardins.
Gut-wrenching video was played in court during Nepoose’s plea showing the efforts of first responders to save Victoria’s life.
The video, from tactical team Const. Myles Hovdebo’s body-worn camera, first shows the officer pulling Nepoose out of the damaged minivan. The offender was placed face down on the pavement and handcuffed by other officers.
‘She wanted to stay at home’
Hovdebo then ran to the Pontiac, wrenching open the back door in order to get to the injured child.
The officer can be seen lifting the girl out of the vehicle, placing her on the ground and beginning CPR.
Victoria’s mother can be heard wailing in the background of the chaos.
Despite the efforts of first responders and doctors, Victoria died eight hours after the crash.
“What hurts the most is she didn’t even want to go,” said Reitmeier in her victim impact statement.
“She wanted to stay at home and build her Lego she got for Christmas.”
‘She was my best friend’
Madison suffered a fractured vertebrae and a Grade 3 concussion, while her mother remained in hospital for weeks with a fractured pelvis, liver contusions and spinal fractures.
“I wish I had a time machine to go back in time,” wrote Madison in her statement.
“Losing my best friend is the hardest thing I could ever imagine and I’m now figuring it out she was my best friend.”
Defence lawyers Rebecca Snukal and Sam Taylor have yet to make their submissions. The sentencing hearing will continue on another day.