Alaska highway hit and run suspect arrested by Whitehorse RCMP

Wednesday, 26 June 2024 17:04

Memorial site of Whitehorse cyclist killed on Alaska Highway by a hit and run driver (Photo by Panebi Wilson)

Adam Lougheed, a 41-year-old male has been arrested and charged with: driving while prohibited, dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of a collision that caused death.

SUSPECT IN HIT-AND-RUN OF CYCLIST HAS BEEN ARRESTED

Whitehorse RCMP has arrested the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed a cyclist on the Alaska Highway on June 13.

Adam Lougheed, 41, was arrested Wednesday and charged with: driving while prohibited, dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of a collision that caused death.

At about 8:30am Thursday June 13, RCMP responded to a hit and run involving a cyclist. According to a Facebook post on the Whitehorse Rapids Soccer page, the deceased was identified as Joe Morrison, a former player of the soccer team.

Morrison was struck and killed by a black Chrysler 300 while cycling to Holy Family Elementary School in Porter Creek where he worked as a teacher.

Following the collision, Two Mile Hill, the Alaska Highway and Centennial Street in Porter Creek were closed for about six hours as multiple investigators including traffic collision analysts were present at the scene.

At the time of Lougheed’s arrest, he was in custody pending a bail hearing for charges in Whitehorse Yukon on June 18 and June 21, 2024. The charges include robbery, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, uttering threats to cause death, operate motor vehicle while prohibited, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

On June 18, police responded to a report of a male who had been stabbed and his vehicle stolen. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The victim and the suspect were known to each other, the release said. Lougheed was arrested in connection with the incident and the vehicle was recovered.

Lougheed had several pending charges in the Yukon, Alberta and British Columbia and was bound by a court ordered Canada Wide Driving Prohibition at the time of his arrest, according to an RCMP news release.

Whitehorse RCMP told CHON-FM that police officers from multiple units conducted a thorough investigation which led them to Lougheed as a suspect. They cannot release more details, but confirmed video footage has been helpful in the investigation.

"We express our gratitude to the community for coming forward with their dash camera footage and for providing valuable tips. We also thank the businesses for their willingness to share security footage that significantly aided in the progress of the investigation," said Corporal Nancy Gagnon, General Investigation Section, in a news release.

Lougheed appeared in court on June 25 and is being held in custody.

A memorial bike ride is being organized for Thursday evening from Holy Family School, past the site of the tragedy in Rabbit's Foot Canyon on the Alaska Highway, where a white "Ghost Bike" will be erected.