Sudbury police say teen walked away after an ‘altercation’ before she died in collision

Grace Ranger, who was just shy of her 17 birthday, was killed April 16 on Westmount Avenue in Sudbury when she was struck by a vehicle and died from her injuries. (File)

Police in Greater Sudbury say a teen girl who was killed in a collision with a vehicle April 16 was involved in an “altercation” with another girl earlier that same night.

Grace Ranger, who was just shy of her 17 birthday, was killed on Westmount Avenue when she was struck by a vehicle and died from her injuries.

“Through the investigation into the fatal collision involving a pedestrian on Westmount Avenue, it was learned that the young woman was involved in an altercation with a lone female a short time before the collision occurred,” Sudbury police said in a news release May 11.

“ As part of the investigation, officers reviewed a video of the altercation as well as CCTV in the area. Officers also spoke with the other individual involved as well as witnesses.”

That investigation determined that the altercation between the two took place on a sidewalk “a distance away from the crosswalk where the collision occurred,” police said.

“After the altercation, the young woman and the individual involved in the altercation separated, walking away in different directions.”

While there is an ongoing investigation into the altercation, police said “there are insufficient grounds to support any driving-related charges against the driver involved in the collision.”

“The investigation determined that the pedestrian was in the roadway at the time of the collision in an area with limited lighting,” the release said.

Driver called for help

“The driver remained at the scene, rendered aid, and contacted emergency services immediately. At this time, there is no evidence to establish a direct link between the earlier altercation and the collision.”

Members of Ranger’s family have gone public on social media to say they believe Grace was assaulted by multiple girls and was lying on the roadway when she was struck and killed.

“We recognize the concerns being raised by the family and members of the community,” Sudbury police said May 11.

“We remain committed to conducting a thorough, objective and respectful investigation into all aspects of this incident. We continue to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic loss.”