Calgarian charged in Macleod Trail crash that killed father, 7-year-old girl

UPDATE: In May 2022, Yannick Joseph Bouchard was found not criminally responsible (NCR) by reason of a mental disorder by Justice Heather Lamoureux, who ruled he was suffering psychosis at the time of the crash. Bouchard was sent to a secure psychiatric facility instead of a prison.

A man and his seven-year-old daughter died in a collision on Macleod Trail in Calgary on Wednesday while his other 11-year-old daughter was seriously injured.

Now police have laid several charges.

The multi-vehicle crash happened at roughly 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release from the Calgary Police Service.  

Police say the driver of a three-quarter ton pickup truck northbound on Macleod Trail rear-ended a sedan the man and daughters were in. The impact caused the sedan to spin around and cross into the southbound lanes. 

A half-ton truck driving southbound on the road then struck the sedan. Police say the driver of the half-ton truck was not injured. 

The driver of the three-quarter ton truck, who also received no injuries, continued driving north after the collision. He then crossed into the southbound lanes and drove onto the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks before stopping. He fled on foot but got only a short distance away before being caught.

The Calgary Fire Department responded to the accident and found the 37-year-old father and his younger daughter dead at the scene. His 11-year-old daughter was taken to hospital in serious condition and later returned home to recover.

Calgary police say there is no evidence that the driver of the three-quarter ton truck was impaired. 

Police charged Yannick Joseph Bouchard, 51, of Calgary with failure to comply after a crash resulting in death, two counts of dangerous operation causing death, one count of dangerous operation causing bodily harm, two counts of hit and run causing death and one count of hit and run causing bodily harm. 

Macleod Trail, a main thoroughfare, was closed between Anderson Road and Canyon Meadows in both directions throughout Wednesday night while police conducted the investigation.

Police say additional charges are pending and the investigation into the circumstances of the collision are ongoing. Bouchard remains in custody. 

Calgary police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision, or has any dashcam footage, to contact them at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through its website or by calling 1-800-222-8477