LPS charge woman with murder in June 2020 fatal pedestrian collision

Mar 3, 2021 | 2:18 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– What originally appeared to be an accidental death in a vehicle collision, has now been deemed an alleged murder.

At around 4:40 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020, LPS and EMS responded to a report of a collision between a yellow Dodge Ram truck and a male pedestrian in the west alley along the 900 block of 13 Street South.

Previous story: Police investigating fatal pedestrian collision in south Lethbridge

The victim, Austin James (AJ) Forsyth, 31, of Lethbridge, was transported to Chinook Regional Hospital by ambulance where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Melissa Dumaine Whitegrass, 37, of Lethbridge, was arrested at a northside residence in connection with the collision.

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Following the multiple-month-long investigation, Whitegrass has been charged with the following:

First-degree murder
Dangerous driving causing death
Assault with a weapon

Whitegrass has been remanded into custody with her court appearance scheduled for March 9, 2021.

Lethbridge Police say the victim and Whitegrass were known to one another being in a relationship that ended in 2017. Police believe it’s a matter related to domestic violence.

There were no previous domestic violence incidents between the two reported to LPS.

Police have no further information to report at this time.

by Connor Gunn