Police are searching for the driver of a pickup truck who fled the scene of a fatal Irricana-area collision that took place around 12:30 a.m. June 21.
Beiseker RCMP received a 911 report from a motorist who came upon a collision between an SUV and 2005 blue Dodge 3500 pickup truck with a white slip tank in the back, that took place on Highway 9 just south of the intersections of highways 9 and 657.
When RCMP, Rocky View Fire Services and EMS arrived on scene, they discovered the driver of SUV, a 51-year-old woman from Beiseker, had died. However, the driver of the pickup, and possible occupants, had fled the scene.
“HAWKS were called out along with a police service dog in an attempt to locate the occupant or occupants of the other vehicle that had fled from the scene,” said Corporal Darrin Turnbull of the Airdrie RCMP at a press conference. “We don’t know who the driver or the occupants were of the vehicle that fled the scene. We are working with HAWKS, the Calgary Police Service and the criminal investigation team have been called in to conduct that investigation.”
According to Turnbull, it is not clear at this time whether the driver of the pickup is the registered owner, or if it is stolen, but attempts to contact the registered owners were unsuccessful as of press time.
“We don’t know why the other driver or occupants… fled the scene,” said Turnbull. “We still don’t know how the collision happened, that part is being investigated, however, it is a criminal offence to flee from the scene of a collision when someone has been injured.”
Turnbull said the driver of the pickup is likely injured.
“The occupants of the suspect vehicle will have extensive injuries,” he said. “They will have facial and head injuries and possibly some chest injuries. We are working with AHS (Alberta Health Services) to be on the lookout for them at local hospitals.”
Turnbull added anyone who may have witnessed the collision or anyone fleeing the scene is urged to contact Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
