A Canadian conservation officer was struck and killed while assisting at a crash scene south of Saskatoon on Friday night.
Justin Knackstedt, 23, and another officer stopped to help RCMP on Highway 11 when the incident occurred, according to CTV news.
The station reported the following account of the tragic crash:
"At approximately 7:40 p.m., RCMP were warned about an erratic driver in a black SUV traveling northbound on Highway 11 towards the accident scene. When the SUV reached the lined-up north bound traffic, an officer approached the driver and after a brief exchange, the driver sped off northbound towards Saskatoon. Officers got in their cars to pursue the suspect, who had driven past the scene of the accident.
As the SUV exited the traffic diversion, the vehicle hit 23-year old Knackstedt. The conservation officer was declared dead at the scene.
The SUV kept going towards Saskatoon, but rolled into the ditch at the Highway 16 overpass near Saskatoon."
A fire and rescue crew on their way back after the initial collision found the SUV on fire. They extricated the driver, and transported him to a hospital.
Charges are pending.
