A 19-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, both residents of Langdon, were killed March 26 in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 757, approximately two kilometres south of Highway 1, according to Strathmore RCMP Sergeant Steve Vince.
Strathmore RCMP along with Alberta Health Services Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Rocky View County Fire Services (RVCFS) were called to the scene at approximately 7:14 a.m.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
“We know the one vehicle crossed the centre line but at this point we’re waiting for the traffic analyst’s report and we’re waiting for the medical examiner’s report to see toxicology (results),” Vince said.
The driver of a Saturn passenger car – identified by friends and family as Quinton Peplinski – was travelling southbound on Highway 797 when his vehicle crossed the centre line and collided head-on with a Dodge Matrix travelling northbound in the northbound lane.
Peplinski was pronounced dead on scene by EMS, according to EMS Spokesman Stuart Brideaux. A 28-year-old woman who was an occupant of the Matrix was also declared dead on scene. Vince said RCMP is not releasing her name at this time.
Two other occupants of the Matrix were transported to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary in serious but stable condition. According to Brideaux, a man in his 50s was transported by ground ambulance from Strathmore, while a woman in her 40s was transported by STARS Air Ambulance.
Vince said Highway 797 was shut down in both directions between Highway 1 and Township Road 240 for approximately six hours to allow STARS to land and emergency crews to work.
An outpouring of condolences for Peplinski’s family and the family of the woman killed in the same collision began on social media, including the Langdon, Alberta – The Good Luck Town Facebook page, as soon as word of the deaths spread.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to collect donations to help the families with funeral and other expenses. A total of $1,325 had been raised as of 11 a.m. on April 1. To make a donation, visit GoFundMe.com/akw36s7w
A balloon release to honour Peplinski was organized in Langdon on March 29 by members of a Facebook page set up in his memory by his friends and family on March 27. The memorial page quickly grew to include 630 members, with many attending the balloon release.
One of Peplinski’s co-workers, Tracy Workun, wrote on the memorial page, “He truly was a remarkable young man, who touched the lives of all those who knew him.”
That sentiment was echoed by many others in posts to the page.
