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RCMP investigation continues into highway death

Eleanor Reinecke was killed on Highway 99 on January 6

The investigation into the death of Australian Eleanor Reinecke is still under investigation, according to the Whistler RCMP. The RCMP is waiting on a report from a collision analyst, as well as a copy of the driver's cell phone records from the evening of the accident. The coroner's investigation is also still in progress at this point.

Reinecke was walking with traffic on Highway 99, just north of Lorimer Road in the early hours of Jan. 6, when a northbound cab struck her. The 24-year-old, in Whistler for the season, died as a result of her injuries.

According to reports, the driver saw Reinecke and attempted to swerve away, then swerved back again to avoid hitting a vehicle in the southbound lane. The vehicle's black box was investigated to determine the drivers' speed and braking before the accident. The driver was not intoxicated and at this point there have been no charges.

As well as the events immediately leading up to her death, the RCMP investigation was expanded to track Reinecke's movements over the course of the evening that lead to her walking along the highway at 3 a.m., in the opposite direction of her home. At one point in the evening she attended a late "New Year's Eve" party with other co-workers who were on shift of Dec. 31.

 

Sled dog kill investigation taking next steps

The RCMP is meeting with the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) today (Mar. 17) to discuss next steps in the ongoing investigation. Interviews are still underway, according to Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair of the Whistler RCMP, and there is still a possibility that the investigation will have to wait until spring to properly investigate the kill site.

In the meantime, The Province newspaper reported this week that a task force charged with reviewing the killing of up to 100 sled dogs by a Whistler-area operator is going to issue new industry guidelines that will prevent culling of sled dogs in the future. Animal cruelty laws may be changed as well.

Currently, there's no law against killing a dog if it's done humanely. In this case, the operator used a firearm and it's alleged that not all of the animals died immediately.

The task force's report is due on Mar. 25.

 

Three arrested in village brawl

At 3:15 a.m. on Mar. 13 the RCMP received a report of a fight in the village involving a number of individuals outside a local nightclub. When they attended the scene at least five people were involved in altercations, and most of them broke up when the police arrived. However, three individuals continued to fight and were arrested. All three were brought to cells and held overnight until they were sober, and all were given various charges. A 26-year-old male from North Vancouver and a 26-year-old male from Whistler were issued tickets for being drunk in public as well as municipal nuisance bylaw tickets. A 25-year-old from Saskatoon was issued a ticket for drunk-in-public.

That wasn't the only case involving violence in the village. At 1:28 a.m. on Mar. 10, the RCMP were advised that doorstaff at a local nightclub were involved in an altercation. The police arrived to find the doorstaff holding the male on the ground.

According to the doorstaff, the male attempted to carry an alcoholic beverage outside the establishment, and then was refused entry after the fact. A fight broke out and the male punched a member of the door staff in the face.

The male's friend informed door staff that he had a gun, and was going to shoot up the establishment.

Both men were arrested, held in cells until they were sober and released with tickets for being intoxicated in public. The second male did not have any weapons on his person. They are described as a 27-year-old and a 30-year-old from Vancouver.

 

Store security tracks down thief

In the afternoon of Mar. 10, staff at a local sporting goods store noticed the theft of a pair of Smith Goggles valued at $180 and Kombi gloves valued at $100. The employee of the store in charge of security reviewed the footage, and later in the village he encountered the woman. She left in a vehicle, with the employee getting a partial plate number for the RCMP.

The Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police later located the vehicle in the Mt. Currie area, and arrested the woman, described as a 23-year-old from Whistler. The stolen items were found in the car.

 

Skis, boards still going missing

Skiers and snowboarders are reminded to lock their equipment and keep an eye on it at all times. In the past few weeks the RCMP have received several new complaints of gear theft from the mountains and village.

Locks are recommended when leaving your gear on a rack, and skiers at the very least should separate their skis.

 

RCMP searching for man in theft attempt

The RCMP are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a man who has attempted several times to get change for a $100 bill, then withhold the bill from the retailer.

The latest attempt was reported on Mar. 6 at a village grocery store, and on investigation the RCMP discovered that the male had attempted the same scam on previous occasions.