Woman charged in fatal 2011 hit-and-run on Montreal Lake First Nation

Nearly 10 years after a man was killed in a hit-and-run on the Montreal Lake First Nation, the RCMP has charged a suspect.

In a media release Friday, the Prince Albert General Investigation Section (PA GIS) said 32-year-old Jody Roberts of the Montreal Lake First Nation had been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

On April 3, 2011, Montreal Lake RCMP got a call about an injured man on a grid road on the First Nation. The man, John Bird, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

After nearly a decade of investigation, Roberts was arrested Wednesday at a home on the First Nation.

“I was the first officer on scene back in 2011 and I’ve continued to work on this file in one capacity or another these past nearly 10 years,” Const. Troy Antal of the PA GIS said in a release.

“We’re also mindful that the family and the community as a whole has been waiting for answers for just as long. This was an enormous file with some investigational avenues exhausted, lots of people to speak to, evidence to sift through and many tips coming in each year which were followed up on.

“Being able to propel this case forward and have charges laid … as an investigator, it’s a good feeling and especially a good feeling if it helps to bring some sense of closure to a family who has been through so much.”

“From the onset there were hurdles to overcome in this investigation. Multiple vehicles were examined and determined to be unrelated,” added Sgt. Chris Hansen, Officer in Charge of PA GIS. “The resulting charges speaks to the hard work and diligence of the team and investigators. Const. Antal never gave up. Our entire team supported him and I’m proud of every one of them.”

Roberts appeared in court on Thursday. Her next court date is in Montreal Lake on April 1.