Taloyoak collision gravely injures 18-year-old

People in Taloyoak say they’re shocked by a horrific all-terrain vehicle collision that occurred in their community early in the morning of June 20 and has left one teenaged boy fighting for his life in an Edmonton hospital.

RCMP spokesperson Cst. Stephan Kilabuk confirmed June 21 that an ATV with a driver and two passengers was involved in a collision.

A19-year-old male passenger received “life-threatening” injuries and was medevaced to an Edmonton hospital, Kilabuk told Nunatsiaq News.

The 18-year old male driver and a 21-year female passenger received only minor injuries, he said.

A police investigation into the circumstances around the incident continues, he said.

Sources in the community say Swen Ugyuk, 18, the son of MLA Jeannie Ugyuk and her husband Nauyuk Ugyuk, and his passenger Jeffrey Tucktoo, 19, crashed into the side of an embankment.

Tucktoo was riding on the front rack of the Honda when the collision occurred, local witnesses said.

The driver fled the scene on the damaged Honda to his parents’ cabin outside of town, they said.

There, he was recovered by some local Canadian Rangers, brought back to town, and placed in custody by local RCMP.

Cst. Kilabuk could not confirm June 21 whether any charges had been laid.