Classroom crash victim was 'energetic and passionate'

A Grade 6 student who died after a minivan crashed into her classroom in St. Paul, Alta., on Thursday was a fun-loving, happy girl, according those who knew her.

Family have identified the victim, who died in an Edmonton hospital Friday, as Megan Wolitski.

Shauna Burke, who was Wolitskis swimming coach in St. Paul., described her as "energetic and passionate, just like any other little girl."

Burke, who knows the two other girls who were critically injured in the crash at Racette Junior High, saysMegan's death has devastated the tight-knit community.

"Yes, everyone knows everyone. Everyone is connected here," he said.

"I was always thinking that they could come back. I was always thinking that I would see those little girls again and that they would be okay."

Richard Edward Benson, 46, who lives inthe St. Paul area, was charged withthree counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, one count of resisting arrest and one count of possession of marijuana.

He will appear in provincial court Monday and remain in custody until then.

CBC News has learned Benson has a lengthy criminal record, dating back to 1992, which includes several driving offences.

He is scheduled to go ontrial in April for adangerous driving charge from April 2011.

Suspect co-operating with police

Police are still waiting for analysis on a blood sample taken from the driver, which may lead to further charges, saidRCMPChief Supt. Randy McGinnis.

But police may never learn how fast the minivan was travelling because falling snow made taking measurements difficult, he said.

Benson, who was "combative" when arrested, is now co-operating with police, said McGinnis.

"This morning he was very remorseful, very apologetic of what has transpired and co-operated fully with our investigation,"he said.

Ralph Benson, brother of the accused, said that Richardsuffered fromseizures ever since he was badly beaten in Mayerthorpe a decade ago.

The beating left him in a coma. He has a plate in his head and takes medication for seizures.

"Right now he should be inside ofa hospital," Ralph Benson said. "Not sitting in a police cell."

Richard can be disoriented when he comes out of a seizure, which could account for his "combative" nature with police after the crash, his brother said.

"I mean he's fighting for his life when he comes out of that seizure," Ralph Benson said. "He's had seizures here with us and it is a very freaky situationhe goes like into a convulsion. His muscles spasm, his muscles cramp up on him."

Benson said that Richardhad a seizure as recently as Sunday. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Benson said that Richard was cleared to get his driver's licence back several years ago.

"We feel horrible. I mean we have children too. We have family," Ralph Benson said.

Three Grade 6 students were left in critical condition and five others injuredafter the minivan crashed intothe school Thursday morning.

Two students remain in hospital in Edmonton.

3 students pinned by minivan

Police said one child was pinned against the wall whiletwo others were pinned while sittingin their desks.

The scene was chaotic as police and firefighters fought with the suspect while trying to rescue students, said McGinnis.

"There was a huge issue with safety because this vehicle came to rest on the desks in the classroom and there was great fear the vehicle may have tipped, come off the desks and land straight on top of the students that were underneath," he said.

"The staff at Racette school were paramount in keeping him in the vehicle and not rocking the vehicle off the desks onto the students," he said.

Witnesses told CBC News that before the crash, a white minivan was racing through back alleys in St. Paul.

Thevehicle left the road and drove into the side of the classroom where Grade 6 students of Racette Junior High School were taking French. The class was being held in the old Glen Avon School building.

The school was closed Friday to allow officials to evaluate the structural integrity of the building.

Classes will also be cancelled Monday and students will be relocated to the high school Tuesday, said Brodziak.

"Ijust pray for the kidsfighting for their lives," said Sandra Duquette, one of the organizers. "I pray for their families. It's just touched the whole community. We will be here at 5 o'clock definitely to light the candles."

St. Paul is about 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.