Grande Prairie RCMP make arrest in hit and run: 22-year-old facing criminal charges

Following a June 27 motor vehicle incident where a driver struck a pedestrian and fled the scene, Grande Prairie RCMP arrested and charged Isaac Michael Piekema.

Article content

When police arrived on the scene, they found that EMS was already there and working on the casualty who sustained life-threatening injuries. They began their investigation by searching for information that would identify the vehicle and driver.

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

Investigators were able to review surveillance footage from the area. It showed the male victim walking on the sidewalk and the vehicle hitting him. Police were able to identify Piekema and recover the vehicle.

The two men know each other. Police have not released any details about a conflict. However, Piekema has posted on his Facebook. In an unrelated post, a member of the public confronts him, and he answers.

As a result of their findings, police charged Piekema with aggravated assault, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop at a scene of an accident after knowingly causing bodily harm.

Article content

All three charges fall under the Criminal Code of Canada. Depending on how they’re prosecuted, the suspect could face several years in jail if found guilty.

Piekema appeared before the Alberta Court of Justice in Grande Prairie on June 30 to answer to the charges and schedule future court proceedings.

Since the incident, RCMP say the male casualty has stabilized but is still in serious condition.

“We would like to take the time to reassure the public that this was a targeted and isolated incident and not part of a larger threat to the community” said Superintendent Steve McLeod, Officer in Charge, Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment. “The Grande Prairie RCMP is committed to the safety of our community and will continue to ensure that everyone feels safe walking the streets of our city”.

Article content