A man who sped from Calgary police in a stolen minivan, causing a crash that killed a nine-year-old girl, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Duane Nepoose, 32, earlier pleaded guilty charges including dangerous driving and fleeing a police officer. Court heard he barrelled through a red light and into a car carrying Victoria Desjardins and her family on Boxing Day 2024. The girl died soon after in hospital. Her mother and sister were also seriously injured in the crash. The Crown had recommended Nepoose be sentenced to between 9 1/2 and 10 1/2 years, while the defence asked for seven to nine years in prison. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2026.
