Woman in critical condition after crash with stolen SUV

A 21-year-old woman was in hospital Sunday and a man is facing 19 criminal charges following a string of early morning car thefts and multiple collisions in Sherwood Park.

The mayhem started just before midnight Saturday. Strathcona County RCMP were called to a hitand-run at 11:51 p.m. after a stolen Mercedes-Benz SUV collided with a car at an intersection.

Abandoning the SUV, police said a man who was driving the Mercedes-Benz stole a Honda Accord from a witness who had stopped to help at the crash.

The Accord soon crashed into a pole and the man who was driving ran from the scene, police said.

Mounties allege the suspect then broke into a home where he took keys for a Ford Explorer, taking off in that vehicle.

When it crashed it into a fence he then fled on foot.

Police dog services and eyewitnesses found a 26-year-old man in the Clarkdale neighbourhood just before 2:30 a.m. Sunday. He was arrested and police discovered he was wanted on several warrants issued in Manitoba.

The suspect was in police custody Sunday pending a judicial interim release hearing.

As a result of the multiple thefts and collisions, he’s facing a host of new theft and driving charges.

The 21-year-old woman from Sherwood Park was injured in the initial collision and transported to an Edmonton hospital with critical injuries.

“Our hearts go out to the family of the young female involved in this collision and everyone else involved in this thoughtless crime,” Strathcona County RCMP Sgt. Brad Golinsky said in a statement.