An attempt to execute an illegal U-turn on Highway 1A west of Cochrane caused a collision that critically injured two people and shut down the road for more than four hours on June 27.
An attempt to execute an illegal U-turn on Highway 1A west of Cochrane caused a collision that critically injured two people and shut down the road for more than four hours on June 27.
The driver, a 28-year-old man from Innisfail, in a Nissan eastbound on Highway 1A west of Cochrane attempted the illegal U-turn between Horse Creek Road and Grand Valley Road at approximately 6:30 p.m., causing a collision with another vehicle, said Cochrane RCMP Media Liaison Sergeant Jeff Campbell.
“There was heavy traffic on Highway 1A and the driver decided he didn't want to wait in line so he did a U-turn in the middle of the road,” he said. “As soon as he did the U-turn, he was struck on the passenger side by a westbound Cadillac SUV.”
Campbell said alcohol may be a factor in the collision.
“Indicators at the scene from both the driver and the vehicle show there might have been alcohol involved,” he said. “We have obtained blood samples and charges are pending, either criminal or provincial.”
A passenger in the Nissan - a 21-year-old man from Newfoundland - was critically injured in the collision and was airlifted by STARS Air Ambulance to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, according to EMS Spokesman Stuart Brideaux.
“We responded at about 7:15 p.m.,” he said. “We ultimately transported three individuals to hospital. The driver was taken by ground EMS in serious, potentially life-threatening condition.”
Campbell said the passenger underwent emergency surgery and both he and the driver remain in Foothills in critical condition on life-support as of June 29.
Brideaux said the driver of the Cadillac - a 71-year-old woman from the Calgary area - suffered non life-threatening injuries and was transported to Foothills by ground ambulance and eventually released.
Highway 1A was shut down in both directions until approximately 11 p.m., according to Campbell.
Tristan Wesley, 27, of the Stoney First Nation in Morley, has been charged with second degree murder after an investigation by the RCMP Southern Alberta Major Crimes Unit and Cochrane RCMP.
The body of a 55-year-old man was found near the side of the Trans-Canada Highway between Highway 40 and Morley Road on July 1 at 11:45 p.m., according to RCMP Media Liaison Sergeant Josee Valiquette.
“(Wesley) has been charged with second degree murder as well as assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats,” she said.
Wesley will appear in Cochrane Provincial Court on July 21.
“The name of the victim is not being released at this time,” Valiquette said. “We're also not releasing the cause of death.”
Campbell said RCMP is also investigating a collision on Springbank Road and Range Road 35 after the driver of a dump truck lost control of his vehicle and collided with a power pole on June 29, knocking out power in the area.
The collision occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. on eastbound Springbank Road. The driver was a Calgary man in his 60s.
“Fortis was on scene pretty quickly. We couldn't get (the driver) out of the vehicle until the power was shut off. (The collision) took out power to the entire area,” he said. “Once they had it shut down, he basically just opened the door and jumped out. He didn't sustain any injuries.”
In a situation like this, Campbell said public safety is paramount.
“Our first task is protecting the scene and the public,” he said. “We closed the road and diverted traffic, basically keeping people away. We then make sure fire services is on scene. Our biggest concern is a grass fire because if there's any spark it's going to catch the grass on fire, not the vehicle itself.”
Crews from Rocky View County Fire Services and Redwood Meadows Fire were on scene, according to Campbell. Springbank Road was shut down between Range Road 35 and Range Road 40 for three to four hours.
Campbell said officers are still trying to determine the cause of the collision, including looking to see if the vehicle suffered a mechanical problem. Speed and alcohol are not considered to be factors in the collision.
If you have any information on any crime, call your local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
