BREAKING NEWS: Loved Ones Honor Prince George Crash Victim As Community Grieves Tragic Loss
The incident happened on August 20, when a twin-engine Beech King Air 200 was forced to land on Foothills Boulevard after losing power in one of its engines. The aircraft, carrying two crew members and six passengers, was travelling from the remote Sturdee Airstrip toward Prince George International Airport. No one aboard the plane was injured.
During the emergency landing, the aircraft travelled across several lanes of traffic and struck four vehicles. Garneau was inside one of those vehicles when the plane collided with her car. Emergency crews assessed 10 other people at the scene, with two later taken to hospital in stable condition.
The sudden tragedy has left Garneau’s family and friends struggling to understand how an ordinary drive could end in such an extraordinary accident. She leaves behind her husband, Jordan, and two school-aged children, Josie and Jackson. Her daughter was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash and survived.
For many people in Prince George, however, Garneau was known for much more than the circumstances of her death. She was deeply involved in local sports and was described by those who knew her as a dedicated parent who regularly supported her children’s activities.
Her involvement with hockey was particularly significant. Friends described her as the kind of parent who was always present—driving children to activities, organizing events, cheering from the sidelines and helping make teams feel like a community.
Garneau was also remembered for her connection to volleyball. The Prince George Youth Volleyball Club highlighted her journey from athlete to coach and described the lasting impact she had on the sport and on young players in the area. Tributes emphasized her positivity, creativity and ability to make people around her feel welcome.
As news of her death spread, local sports organizations and community members began sharing tributes. The Cariboo Cougars minor hockey club described the loss as devastating, remembering Garneau as a familiar and positive presence around the rink and someone whose absence would be deeply felt.
An online fundraiser established for her family also quickly attracted widespread support. More than C$100,000 had been raised within two days, with organizers saying the money would go directly toward helping Garneau’s family through the difficult period ahead.
Meanwhile, investigators are still working to determine exactly why the aircraft was forced into the emergency landing. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has taken control of the investigation. The aircraft has been moved from the roadway to a nearby gravel area, where investigators are examining it and preserving evidence.
The preliminary information indicates that the aircraft lost power in one of its two engines. Former Transportation Safety Board investigator Bill Yearwood told CBC that one of the key questions will be why the aircraft came down despite the Beech King Air 200 being designed to operate with a single engine. The final investigation is expected to take considerably longer.
For now, the crash remains under investigation, and no final conclusions have been reached about what caused the emergency or whether any additional factors contributed to the incident.
What remains clear is the impact Garneau had on the people around her. From the sports fields to the hockey rink, friends say she was someone who showed up for others, supported young athletes and helped create a sense of belonging.
A roadside memorial has since appeared near the location of the crash, offering a quiet reminder of the life lost in a moment that nobody expected. For Garneau’s family, friends and the wider Prince George community, the focus now is on remembering the person she was—not simply the tragedy that took her away.
Source: CBC News, Transportation Safety Board of Canada, The Canadian Press, Prince George community organizations, family fundraising campaign.
Related links:
CBC News — Alex Garneau plane crash investigation
