A Penhold woman has turned herself in to police in relation to the death of an 18-year-old Penhold longboarder on Highway 592.
A Penhold woman has turned herself in to police in relation to the death of an 18-year-old Penhold longboarder on Highway 592.
Trystan Sorensen was tragically killed May 20 on Highway 592 while longboarding four kilometres west of Penhold with a friend at 10:33 p.m. An oncoming blue Dodge or Chrysler SUV driven by a Caucasian woman struck Sorensen and then fled the scene of the accident.
"Sorensen was longboarding with a friend and was struck by that SUV. Nothing is leading us to believe that it was malicious or intentional. It was an accident, but still the person failed to remain and render assistance," said Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk.
Following the accident, on May 21, a 2003 Dodge Durango was reported stolen and was soon located burnt in a farmer's field east of Innisfail, according to an RCMP press release. Further, on May 24 the registered owner and alleged driver, 25-year-old Jessica Masyk of Penhold was contacted and subsequently turned herself in to Innisfail RCMP. She has been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident public mischief, and driving while unauthorized.
Matechuk said the RCMP gave assistance to both boarders until an ambulance arrived. "There was other passerbys too that we got statements from which helped," he added. "He was pronounced deceased at the scene."
Matechuk noted the collision was a "huge" tragedy adding it was dusk at the time. "It was just getting dark. It wasn't pitch black but it was getting dark. That is why we are saying it was an accident and it wasn't intentional."
"We had one member from Innisfail whose sole responsibility was working on this plus we had the assistance of the General Investigation Section, three members assisting. We dedicated four members this alone," said Matechuk.
The Squamish, B.C.-born, Grade 10 Hunting Hills High School student was well regarded by those who knew him.
"Trystan worked for us at the Fas Gas Plus station in Penhold for around eight months," said Aarif Majeed, owner of the Penhold Fas Gas. "He was a nice young man whom we all liked and our customers enjoyed his customer service. He was good on the tills. Trystan lived close to work, only a few houses down on 592 and would longboard home, storing his board in the back office."
Majeed then added "It was a terrible thing that happened to Trystan. We will miss him."
"We used to see Trystan and his friend longboard west of town towards the hill and sloughs. They would both ride opposite traffic according to safety rules," said Paula Bennett. "Our street is not always so safe so we keep an eye out on the traffic."
Bennett said on the night of the accident she and her husband, Darcy, heard the sounds of sirens and emergency vehicles drive by their home along Highway 592.
"When we had heard later that someone had died on the highway, we thought it was an older gentleman who lived down the way (west)," said Bennett. "One of our neighbours told us it was a young man and we knew it might have been one of the two kids we regularly saw on the road."
Bennet added she has long been concerned about Highway 592 for walkers, bikers, and now boarders.
"I have spoken to our bylaw enforcement officers who will be working on educating our youth to skateboard and bike safely, with proper safety gear," said Cooper.
Sorensen's mother, Amy, who lives in Red Deer, could not be reached for comment.
While Masyk has been charged, she has been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for June 20. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has more information about the crash is urged to contact the Innisfail RCMP detachment at 403-227-3342 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800 222-8477(TIPS).
A memorial was planned at Red Deer's Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium for Monday, May 26.
