The woman who was struck and killed by a U-Haul truck in a hit-and-run crash in southeast Edmonton late Saturday has been identified as the executive director of the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank.

Kassandra Gartner has had a profound impact on the problem of food insecurity in Alberta, the charity that runs the food bank said in a statement on Monday.

“Kass’ legacy is one of hope, compassion and unwavering commitment to making a difference,” said Amanda Bell, president of the Fort Saskatchewan Food Gatherers Society.

“As she would expect, our doors will remain open and our services will continue as a tribute to Kass’ extraordinary life and the lasting impact she had on our community.”

At a news conference Sunday evening, RCMP Supt. Leanne MacMillan said a 45-year-old Fort Saskatchewan woman was examining the outside of her vehicle after driving over a police spike belt at the corner of 50th Street and 22nd Avenue SW when she was struck by a male suspect in a U-Haul truck at about 9:40 p.m.

RCMP say she was one of three civilian vehicles that struck the spike band that deflates a vehicle’s tires. Another person is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident occurred after Beaumont Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) attempted to arrest a driver suspected of theft around 9 p.m. Saturday, but the vehicle fled at high speed, MacMillan said.

The spike belt was placed on the road after the U-Haul truck crashed into an RCMP patrol car, the RCMP said.

“This is an active homicide investigation by the Alberta RCMP,” MacMillan told reporters, adding that the RCMP is working with the Edmonton Police Service.

Edmonton police responded to the RCMP’s request by deploying a helicopter. Police said the truck was traveling north along 50th Street from Beaumont toward Edmonton before striking and killing the woman.

“We are incredibly saddened to hear of the tragic death of the innocent woman killed last night on 50th Street,” EPS Det. Nigel Phillips said in a news release Sunday.

“Our condolences go out to her family and friends as they grapple with this incredible loss.”

Police and RCMP still searching for suspect

According to police, the U-Haul truck did not stop after hitting the woman. Shortly afterward, it crashed in front of a supermarket near the same intersection at 50th Street and 22nd Avenue SW.

The suspect then stole a dark gray Honda Civic that was parked in front of the gas station with a child inside, EPS said.

According to police, the child was found unharmed a few minutes later in the area of ​​66th Street and 25th Avenue, but the suspect fled in the stolen Honda.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has been notified by the RCMP and will investigate the incident.

The agency investigates cases in which people are killed or seriously injured in incidents involving police or in which allegations of police misconduct are made.

On Monday morning, RCMP spokesman Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said the Honda was found abandoned Sunday evening in a rural area just outside Wainwright, Alabama, 200 kilometers southeast of Edmonton.

The suspect was not arrested.

“There is no evidence that this individual is armed and poses an immediate threat to the community itself,” Savinkoff said.

“We would of course advise everyone across Alberta, but especially in this area and possibly in Saskatchewan, to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.”

The suspect is said to be approximately 6 feet tall. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie with white text on the front, brown shorts and black shoes.

Witness heard screams

Ranjodh Johal lives near the gas station on 50th Street.

“I opened the door and I heard a lot of screaming, yelling, shouting and crying. So I couldn’t figure out what was going on,” Johal said in an interview.

“The police cars drove into the square one by one, and within five minutes there were a dozen police vehicles and ambulances there,” he said.

Robert Cross said his roommate was on his way to a nearby 7-Eleven when he saw police blocking the intersection.

“If you wrote this in a movie, people wouldn’t believe it was just a series of events all happening at the same time. But it happened last night,” Cross said.