Claire Newman was killed in a hit-and-run in the Valemount area (Image credit: City of Merritt).

By Aaron Schulze

Claire Newman

RCMP release photos of suspect vehicle in hit-and-run that killed a Merritt city councillor

Aug 22, 2023 | 7:02 AM

VALEMOUNT, B.C. — Valemount RCMP released surveillance photos of a vehicle suspected to be involved in a crash that killed a Merritt city councillor.

In a news release issued Monday (Aug. 21), RCMP say the crash that claimed the life of a 46-year-old Merritt woman – later identified as Merritt Councillor Claire Newman – took place between 11:45 p.m. on July 4 and midnight on July 5. It happened on Highway 16 near Lucerne Campground just west of the B.C.–Alberta border.

At midnight, police say a 2016-2018 Jeep Cherokee believed to be involved in the collision was seen driving east along Highway 16 at the Parks Canada gate west of Jasper.

However, the license plate number is not visible, and the Cherokee has no front plate. Once the Cherokee passed through the Parks Canada gate, it is unknown if it travelled south toward Banff or east toward Edmonton. Police say they checked video surveillance at gas stations in both Jasper and Hinton in Alberta, but the Cherokee was not seen on video.

Image credit: Valemount RCMP

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Image credit: Valemount RCMP

Image credit: Valemount RCMP

A stock photo of the suspected vehicle’s model (Image credit: Valemount RCMP).

RCMP believe the suspect Cherokee will have front end damage, including a missing driver’s side headlight and damage to the front grill from the impact.

Anyone with information about the Cherokee, or who may have been driving it on July 4 and July 5, 2023, or where it may be, is asked to contact Valemount RCMP at (250) 566-4466 or Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477.