On June 12 at about 10:50 a.m., Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit, Didsbury RCMP, Didsbury Fire and Provincial EMS responded to a fatal collision on Highway 2 at the intersection of Township Road 310 located between the Carstairs and Didsbury overpasses.
A northbound tractor trailer unit stopped at the intersection median preparing to turn west onto Township 310. A northbound Ford pickup collided with the rear trailer of the tractor trailer.
The driver and sole occupant of the Ford pickup was declared dead at the scene. Name and identity of the deceased has been with-held out of respect for the family.
The driver and sole occupant of the tractor trailer unit was taken by ground ambulance to the Didsbury Hospital with minor injuries for examination and treatment. Chinook Arch Victim Services is involved in the case.
Highway 2 was detoured to Highway 2A at the Didsbury and Carstairs overpasses for several hours while the RCMP investigated the scene.
Police do not believe weather and road conditions were contributing factors.
False claims
An 18-year-old man from Calgary was charged with Public Mischief and Breaching Recognizance after making a fictitious call to Cochrane RCMP on June 9.
At 9:30 a.m., Cochrane RCMP received a call about a robbery that occurred in the parking lot of Rexall Drugs in Cochrane.
The complainant said he wished to remain anonymous and according to Cochrane RCMP, was not very cooperative.
The caller provided a detailed description of his assailant, who had allegedly threatened him with violence and after unsuccessfully taking the victim’s wallet, fled the scene on foot.
When police arrived on scene, they were able to locate and arrest a man who matched the description provided. Upon his arrest, the suspect was interviewed by police, who determined that the information given in the call was untrue.
The detained suspect admitted he called the Cochrane RCMP and made up the story, while providing a description of himself and the clothing he was wearing.
He further admitted at no time had any robbery been committed and that he had called the police hoping that they would give him a ride to Calgary.
Bradley Bouvier, an 18-year-old Calgary resident has been charged with Public Mischief and two counts of Breaching Recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in Cochrane Provincial Court.
Dangerous driving
Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) officers charged a 21-year-old man from Calgary for dangerous driving on June 9.
The man is also being charged with driving without insurance, failing to produce an operator’s license, operating a vehicle of an unauthorized class and improper use of a license plate.
Officers were notified of a motorcyclist that was travelling southbound on Highway 2 near Carstairs at a high rate of speed at 10 p.m.
A short time later, the motorist was spotted by an officer who was driving northbound on Highway 2 near Crossfield, and reported that the motorcycle was travelling at a speed of 197 km/h.
According to ITU Sheriff Jason Graw, in instances where a motorist is traveling at dangerous speeds, teamwork is required between officers on duty.
“These are dangerous situations and we don’t want to be setting up roadblocks or obstacles,” said Graw. “Luckily one of our officers headed north spotted him and was able to radio back to some officers who were farther south.”
A traffic stop on Highway 2 was not required as the driver of the motorcycle pulled off the highway at the Highway 72 exit and stopped at a nearby gas station where officers were able to catch up with him.
“I don’t think this guy even noticed us because when he got off the highway to get gas he was driving around 170 km/h on the stretch that leads to the gas station,” said Graw.
The man was taken into police custody and his motorcycle was towed as a result of the driver failing to produce proper insurance and driving with a license plate that belonged to the motorcycle’s previous owner.
The name of the Calgary man has not been released as charges have not yet been sworn, and a court date will be scheduled for him once the charges are sworn in by a Justice of the Peace.
Siblings sentenced
Two siblings from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation were sentenced June 5 for possessing and trafficking protected wildlife.
Terry Daniels and her brother Harlin were fined for illegally selling the bones and feathers of bald eagles, golden eagles and great grey owls. Terry is facing fines totaling $7,000; Harlin is expected to pay $1,500.
In addition to the fees, the siblings have been ordered to report to Fish and Wildlife officials and to register all raptor parts that are in their possession.
The birds found in the Daniels’ possession — bald eagles, golden eagles and great grey owls — are classified as non-game and are protected by the provincial Wildlife Act.
Parts of the birds were used in crafts and for traditional uses, but carcasses were also found during the Fish and Wildlife investigation.
“This shows the courts strongly support the need to conserve species at risk,” said Crown prosecutor Mac Vomberg. “Not only for current generations, but for all generations. And to respect the rights of aboriginals for religious, cultural and spiritual purposes.”
Vomberg added he hopes this case discouraged others from poaching any kind of restricted or threatened species. Matt McCorquodale, staff superintendent for special investigations section of Fish and Wildlife enforcement, said eagle feathers could be distributed through the government’s Feather Repository Program.
“We target the illegal trafficking of wildlife,” said McCorquodale. “We’re there to protect the birds for future generations.
“We do have support from the First Nation communities and a lot of support from elders.”
First Nations peoples can apply for the program, but the request has to be assessed by a Fish and Wildlife official before approval.
The Daniels siblings declined to comment.
Anyone with information on an unsolved crime can contact their local RCMP detachment at or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
