On Aug. 6 at 2:57 a.m., Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit (AITU) were dispatched to a serious situation involving a silver Volkswagen Golf heading northbound in southbound lanes of Highway 2.
The vehicle was reported driving the wrong way just past the Calgary city limits. RCMP arrested the 24-year-old driver at the north end of Airdrie.
“We are fortunate to have caught up to this motorist before a serious crash occurred,” said Sheriff Jason Graw. “Intercepting a vehicle travelling the wrong way on a divided highway is particularly dangerous for both our officers and other drivers.”
The man was found with a blood-alcohol content exceeding 80 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood.
Graw said impaired driving is still the No. 1 cause of death in Canada.
“Each and every impaired driving fatality is preventable, and that’s why intercepting impaired drivers is one of the top priorities of the Integrated Traffic Units in Alberta,” he added.
Driver runs red, caught drunk
At 8:40 p.m. on Aug. 6, AITU officers were travelling eastbound on First Avenue in Airdrie approaching the Eighth Street S.W. intersection. As the police cruiser entered the intersection on a green light, a grey pick-up truck headed northbound onto Eighth Street while the light was red.
Police then pursued the vehicle, which sped up to 93 km/h in a 60 km/h zone to evade authorities.
“The officer stopped the pick-up just south of Veterans Boulevard and noted signs of alcohol impairment of the driver,” said Graw.
Now, a 31-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C. is charged with impaired driving, a blood-alcohol level exceeding 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, driving while suspended, careless driving and speeding.
“The driving pattern exhibited by this individual is extremely serious — proceeding unsafely through an intersection, speeding and driving while impaired,” said Graw. “These are three of the top four causes of serious injury and fatal collisions in Alberta. We hope that by apprehending this individual, and other drivers who make the same poor choices, we can reduce the number of serious injury and fatal collisions, thereby making Alberta roadways safer for the rest of us.”
Vehicle fire on Highway 2
On Aug. 3 at 5:25 p.m., members of the Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit were sent to a vehicle fire between Calgary and the Balzac overpass.
A 2007 Subaru Outback was found by police completely engulfed in flames and northbound lanes of Highway 2 had to be closed while fire crews put out the fire.
“In a situation like this where there is reduced visibility due to heavy smoke and a vehicle that is fully engulfed in flames, we have to make the scene as safe as possible for both the public and emergency crews,” said Graw. “In this case, that meant stopping all northbound traffic for a short time until the fire could be brought under control.”
At 6:15 p.m., two northbound lanes of traffic were re-opened and by 8 p.m. all lanes were open for traffic.
The driver of the vehicle reported mechanical trouble prior to pulling over. An investigation into how the blaze started is ongoing.
Biker clocked at 180 km/h
A DeWinton man was caught riding his white Suzuki sport bike at 180 km/h, marking the second time in a month a motorcyclist was excessively speeding and caught by Airdrie RCMP.
On Aug. 7 at 12:30 a.m., Airdrie RCMP caught up with the 25-year-old in southbound lanes just north of Airdrie on Highway 2.
When police attempted to pull him over, he began passing vehicles on the shoulder. He eventually stopped and was arrested just south of Airdrie.
He has been charged with failing to provide proof of insurance, driving left of the centre line and speeding.
“Travelling at even a few kilometres over the posted speed limit can increase the likelihood of a collision significantly,” said Graw. “Speeding reduces your ability to steer around objects that may appear on the roadway, reduces your reaction time and your peripheral vision. Not only that, if you are involved in a collision, the impact is going to be much more severe at a higher speed.”
Dangerous driver nabbed
A 45-year-old female driver of a black Honda Civic was caught after a lengthy chase spanning a section of northbound Highway 2, Aug. 8.
Police received multiple calls from other motorists of a dangerous driver passing cars at high speeds, just north of Calgary.
The highway was reduced to one lane and the speed limit was 80 km/h due to a construction zone, but the driver topped 150 km/h.
At this point, an AITU officer spotted the driver on the highway and pursued the vehicle. The officer flicked on the cruiser’s sirens to alert the construction workers of the Honda speeding towards them. Workers jumped out of the way, narrowly avoiding being hit by the speeding car.
When the officer caught up with the car, the driver attempted to swerve into the cruiser. The cop slowed down and stopped chasing the vehicle.
However, a short time later, the officer received a call that the same vehicle was now pulled over on the side of Highway 2 near Carstairs. A large pool of motor oil was visible underneath the car, which had broken down due to mechanical difficulty. The driver was immediately arrested.
The woman, from Calgary, is charged with dangerous driving and flight from the police.
Semi truck crushes car
On Aug. 3, Beiseker and Airdrie Rural RCMP were called to a crash involving a semi truck and a car eight kilometres east of Highway 2 on Highway 72.
The collision occurred at 2:45 a.m. when the female driver’s car struck the side of the semi truck. This caused the semi truck to run over the front of the car with its back trailer wheels. The driver of the semi truck escaped uninjured from the crash while the female was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. She has since been released. Alcohol was believed to be a factor and the investigation is ongoing.
Attempted robbery
On Aug. 8, Airdrie RCMP attended a break and enter call at The Source in the Towerlane Mall. Reports first indicated multiple suspects entered a store under construction beside The Source.
Suspects then attempted to break through the wall but were unsuccessful.
Following that, the suspects climbed a ladder and entered the store from a higher section of the wall. It is currently unknown what, if any, items were stolen and the cost of the losses. An investigation by Airdrie RCMP’s Forensic Investigation Section is ongoing.
Burger restaurant hit twice
Airdrie RCMP responded to an alarm call at the A& W Restaurant on Edmonton Trail at 4:15 a.m., Aug. 6.
The perpetrator gained entry by damaging the front door. The alarm sounded and the person fled without taking anything.
Two days later between midnight and 3:30 a.m., the restaurant was broken into again. This time, a suspect smashed the front door and fled with an unknown amount of money. Police believe the incidents are related.
Road repairs
Motorists were delayed Aug. 8 to 12 as chip-seal repair work took place on Highway 2 north of Veterans Boulevard near Airdrie. The work extended north 12 kilometres. Speeds were reduced to 80 km/h.
If you have information on any unsolved crime, call Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
