Icy conditions on the Trans-Canada Highway may be the culprit in a fatal collision on Dec. 27 that killed one and injured several others.
Sergeant Audrey Robinson of Cochrane RCMP said the exact cause of the mid-morning accident near Scott Lake Hill is still under investigation by the collision reconstructive team.
“While there is no definitive cause yet, it’s leaning towards the icy roads as the main contributor of the collision,” said Robinson.
At the time of the collision, an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulance was already at the scene tending to an unrelated crash.
EMS contacted the RCMP when a westbound SUV lost control and ended up in the eastbound lane where it struck an ATCO van and an Alberta Sheriffs prison transport van.
As a paramedic attempted to help the driver of the westbound vehicle, the 72-year-old Fort MacLeod man’s foot accidentally hit the gas pedal, causing the vehicle to collide with the Alberta Sheriffs van again, said Robinson.
The driver was transported to hospital by STARS Air Ambulance.
“As of (the evening of Dec. 27), the driver has been listed as stable and is expected to make a full recovery,” said Robinson.
The 69-year-old wife of the driver was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The two were heading to British Columbia when the accident occurred.
The two sheriffs in the prison transport van were taken to hospital, treated and released.
After hearing the witness reports, Robinson said erratic driving and excessive speed can be ruled out.
“We don’t expect any charges to be pursued,” said Robinson.
The collision shut down Highway 1 in both directions — at Exit 131 and 161 — for several hours.
Westbound lanes reopened at approximately 12:40 p.m., while eastbound vehicles were not permitted through until around 5 p.m.
Traffic was backed up for some time following the highway being reopened.
The initial collision occurred at 10 a.m.
Motorists looking to detour via westbound Highway 1A were delayed even longer due to another car crash; Cochrane RCMP said no major injuries were reported.
