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Accident victim's name released

The Prince Rupert RCMP continues to investigate the fatal single vehicle crash that claimed the life of 15-year-old Port Edward resident Mary Jessica Faith Hartling. The incident occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m., April 9, 2011, on Highway 16 and Rainbow Summit.

The Prince Rupert RCMP is now able to confirm the four youths, two males and two females,  travelled to Terrace for an early morning breakfast then returned back to Prince Rupert. The 1993 two-door Mazda car left the road at Rainbow Summit along a straight stretch on Highway 16. The vehicle crashed approximately 40 feet down an embankment until its resting place.

The two females, who were sitting in the backseat of the vehicle, were both ejected. Mary Jessica Faith Hartling was thrown approximately 30 feet from the vehicle and sustained critical injuries. She was airlifted to the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

The Hartling family was spoken to this morning, and they advised “they are thankful for all the support that is pouring in from friends, family and the community." states Cst. Laura Lechky of the Prince Rupert RCMP. “That is one of the greatest things of a small community, in the time of tragedy everyone pulls together and supports one another.”

An RCMP reconstruction analyst was called to the scene and the vehicle was seized for a full mechanical inspection. Alcohol and drugs are not considered to be a factor in this crash at this time.

The three other teen occupants sustained minor injuries and are from Prince Rupert. The driver was a 17-year-old male, a second 17-year-old male was seated in the front passenger seat and a second 15-year-old female was sitting in the backseat, behind the driver.

The investigation is ongoing and the full mechanical inspection of the vehicle will be completed on Monday, April 18, 2011. The Prince Rupert RCMP also awaits the reconstruction analyst report.