Ryan Richard Wilneff, 28, of Grande Prairie, was arrested in that northwestern Alberta city Thursday afternoon. He is charged with impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, possession of a controlled substance, four breach of probation (x4).
Canada-wide warrants were issued for Wilneff’s arrest, after he fled an Edmonton hospital, where he had been taken, following a high speed, single-vehicle collision on Gateway Blvd and 61 Avenue in the early morning hours on Jan. 22. A 28-year-old passenger that was travelling in the vehicle at the time of the collision was killed.
Wilneff has since been returned to Edmonton and is remanded until his bail hearing, which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2014.
Background:
A 28-year-old male was driving a Jeep Wrangler northbound on Gateway Boulevard at 2 a.m. on Jan. 22, 2014, when the vehicle reportedly veered off the road between 60 and 61 Avenue, knocking down a light standard, continuing through a parking lot and striking several billboards and trees in its path, before colliding head-on into the cement/brick wall of a business. Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors.