Family mourns Alberta girl killed in school crash

This photo of Megan Wolitski was provided to CTV News by her family.

The family of the schoolgirl who was killed when a van crashed into her school in St. Paul, Alberta, are remembering her as loving and caring.

Megan Wolitski died Friday, a day after she was severely injured when a van smashed into her Grade 6 classroom Thursday morning.

Wolitski's uncle, Les Miskolzie, released the following statement by email to CTV News Saturday morning.

"Our precious Megan was taken from us. We are devastated by this loss. She was a beautiful, smart, and caring girl,” the email reads.

“She had a passion for dancing especially ballet and jazz. She was a great swimmer. She had so many hopes and dreams. She was a Girl Guide who was planning a trip to Switzerland with her group. She aspired to be a teacher like her mom.

A memorial has been placed in the window of the dance studio Megan used to attend.

“It was just a wonderful energy to be around so that would have been a huge loss for any of her family or friends to not have that light there,” Heather Schiller, Megan’s dance instructor, told CTV Edmonton.

Hundreds gathered Friday night to pray for Megan and the two girls injured in Thursday’s crash. Both were airlifted to Edmonton, where one remains in critical condition andthe other has been upgraded to stable.

“We would like Megan to be remembered for the incredible girl that she was. She loved her family and loved to take care of her sister and baby cousins. She touched so many lives with her kindness. On behalf of her family, we thank you for your thoughts and prayers," read Miskolzie’s email.

"We ask that you pray for her classmates who are still recovering from their serious injuries."

Richard Edward Benson, 46, of St. Paul is facing numerous charges in relation to the crash, including three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance.

Those charges could be upgraded in light of Wolitski’s death.

Benson’s relatives say he is a single father of nine who lives on the outskirts of St. Paul with two of his children. They say he had just dropped his kids off at school the morning of the crash.

Benson’s nephew Karl Crooker spoke to CTV Edmonton on Friday, and says his uncle sustained a permanent brain injury after a brutal beating in July, 2002.

Benson had been living in Mayerthorpe when he confronted a man who was spending time with his then 13-year-old daughter. A fight followed and Benson was beaten until he was almost unrecognizable.

Crooker wonders if Benson was having a seizure when his van drove through the school.

“Everybody is asking about the kids, and that’s totally understandable. But there is a man sitting in jail right now who might not have been totally aware of what was going on when this happened. And people need to know that is a big difference,” Crooker said.

Walter Benson and another brother, Ralph Benson, tell The Canadian Press that their brother hasn't been able to work since the beating and was surviving on government disability assistance.

They say that Benson started having seizures several months ago. He was put on medications but they say doctors never told him he couldn’t drive. They say he last had a seizure last Sunday.

The brothers say Benson told other family members he blacked out right before his van left an alley, drove through a fence and into a classroom.

Police say Benson was combative with officers during his arrest at the school, but was later co-operative and remorseful. Investigators are waiting for blood tests to determine if he will be charged with impaired driving.

Benson will remain in custody untilhis first court appearance, which is scheduled for Monday in St. Paul.

Racette Junior High has moved classes to a nearby high school as police continue to test the structure of the school.

St. Paul’s Education regional division told CTV it will be up to the staff and students to decide when or if they want to return to the school.

With reports from CTV Edmonton's Susan Amerongen, Amanda Anderson and The Canadian Press