Chico Cardinal, 24, turned himself in at Police Headquarters, late in the evening on Feb. 8, 2014 and was charged with break and enter commit assault (x2), choking to overcome resistance, unlawful confinement, and breach of conditions (x4).
The two-year-old boy was also found safe and sound.
Traffic surveys conducted recently by EPS in Southwest Division, highlight the need to remind motorists to slow down and adhere to all traffic laws near schools.
“As any parent can attest, the roadways around schools are becoming increasingly difficult to navigate due to the volume of traffic flow through these areas,” said Const. Andre Paul, of EPS Southwest Division, a part of the city that boasts 67 schools, the highest concentration of educational facilities in the city.
“Combine that with icy roadways and school bus traffic and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. We want to ensure all of our children get to school and home safely, and to accomplish that we need our partners, the public, to drive responsibility.”
Between Oct. 30, 2013 and Nov. 19, 2013, police monitored nine schools throughout the Southwest corridor and recorded numerous traffic infractions by both drivers and pedestrians, including crosswalk violations, failing to stop for pedestrians, failing to come to a complete stop, failing to wear a seatbelt, disobeying traffic signals, jaywalking and distracted driving.
While motorists can face fines upwards of $587 for various school zone traffic infractions, it is often children and their families who could pay the highest price when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle.
“Enforcement is certainly one of the tools we can employ, but police can’t be everywhere,” said Const. Paul. “We need the public to be aware that in the few minutes that they save by rushing to and from a school to deliver and pick-up children, they could also tragically alter, not only their lives, but the lives of others, forever. “It’s not worth it.”
Police noted close to 800 traffic infractions that occurred in and around the nine schools that were monitored in Southwest Edmonton over a three-week period.
It was reported that the Honda Civic was travelling at a high rate of speed just before the collision occurred. Both vehicles were traveling westbound on Yellowhead Trail, at approximately 129 Street, at the time of the collision.
The driver of the Civic was thrown from his seat and partially through the windshield during the collision, causing serious injuries. Witnesses at the scene provided immediate first aid before the arrival of EMS. Paramedics treated the man and he was taken to hospital, where he’s in critical but stable condition.
The driver of the bobtail did not report any injuries at the time.
The westbound lanes of Yellowhead Trail, between 127 Street and St. Albert Trail, were closed until 5 a.m. this morning, while Major Collision Investigation Unit members conducted their investigation.
It’s believed that speed and alcohol may be factors in the collision. Charges are pending against the driver of the Honda Civic. The file is still under investigation.
Southwest Division members responded to a strip mall parking lot near 39 Avenue and Calgary Trail, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, after being notified by an observant passerby that a young child had allegedly been left unattended in a vehicle.
Upon arrival, Southwest Patrol members discovered a two-year-old girl alone in a vehicle that was not running. Witnesses told police the child had been in the vehicle for approximately 40 minutes.
Patrol members broke a window and retrieved the child from the vehicle. Paramedics were called out and determined the girl was cold, but otherwise in good health.
A 32-year-old Edmonton woman returned to her vehicle shortly thereafter and was charged with cause a child to be in need of intervention under Section 130 of the CYFEA.
It was reported that at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 22, a 94-year-old male stepped off the west curb and attempted to cross 97 Street just south of 107A Avenue.
The pedestrian was then allegedly struck by a south-bound vehicle and subsequently fell to the ground and hit his head.
He was treated by EMS paramedics on scene and taken to hospital, where he remained until succumbing to his injuries earlier today, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014.
The file is being examined by the EPS Major Collision Investigation Unit, though charges are not anticipated, as investigators believe the male was not attempting to cross 97 Street at a marked crosswalk.
It was reported that Christopher Herodek, 48, inappropriately touched two, pre-teen females who swam by the accused at north and west-end recreation centre pools in the summer of 2009.
Herodek is charged with two counts each of sexual assault and sexual interference.
Investigators laid similar charges against Herodek earlier this month, for two incidents that are alleged to have occurred on Dec. 22, 2013 and Dec. 23, 2013.
The EPS Child Protection Section continues to investigate and is encouraging witnesses and/or other complainants to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve. A photo of the accused is included below for media use.
Christopher Herodek, 48
