Wainwright RCMP have identified the suspect in the fatal hit and run that happened on Saturday (Feb. 24) and took the life of Fort Saskatchewan’s Kassandra Gartner.
The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Peter Richard Ashby, of no fixed address, who was arrested at a residence in Wainright on Wednesday night. He has been charged with:
- Dangerous driving causing death;
- Dangerous driving causing bodily harm;
- Flight from police;
- Assault on police officer with weapon (x2);
- Fail to stop at accident causing death;
- Fail to stop at accident causing bodily harm;
- Theft of car;
- Theft of mail under $5,000; and
- Operation of a vehicle while prohibited
When Ashby was arrested, he was also wanted on warrants out of Parkland County for thefts from lockers at the Spruce Grove Tri Leisure Centre.
Ashby was also wanted out of Edmonton for theft and forgery of a credit card, driving while prohibited, and fleeing the scene of a crash.
He even had a rap sheet in Saskatchewan for the breaking into a hotel and stealing computers.
“Peter Ashby is the definition of a prolific offender, and offenders such as these cause the majority of harm to victims in these community, harming the public,” said Superintendent Leanne MacMillan with the RCMP.
Ashby has been placed in custody with his court date set for March 7 in Leduc, Edmonton, and Stony Plain.
Although the suspect was arrested, the investigation is still ongoing, with the charges being subject to change.
