EDMONTON – Police believe speed and alcohol were factors in a crash that killed a passenger, and left the driver in serious condition early Wednesday morning.
According to police, a Jeep Wrangler was travelling north on Gateway Boulevard at about 2 a.m. Wednesday when the vehicle reportedly veered off the road between 60 and 61 Avenue, knocking down a light standard, continuing through a parking lot and hitting several billboards and trees in its path, before colliding head-on into a cement wall.
The man in the front passenger seat was taken to hospital where he died.
“A 28-year-old male passenger sustained life-threatening injuries and died in hospital shortly after arrival,” said Sgt. Generoso Alvarado. “The driver remains in hospital in serious but stable condition.”
The driver is also 28-years-old.
“Our investigation has led us to determine that this vehicle did actually lose control. Witness indicate that we had a high rate of speed, and alcohol is believed to be a factor in this collision,” said EPS Cst. Rick Wevers.
Investigators were also looking into whether the two men were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Police said charges would be laid, but the type of charges would depend on the results of the investigation.
Wednesday afternoon, officers said the initial investigation formed grounds to begin an impaired driving investigation against the driver of the Jeep. Excessive speed is also believed to have been a contributing factor in the collision.
Gateway Boulevard from 51 Avenue to 61 Avenue was blocked off for several hours before being reopened shortly after 8 a.m.
This is the second traffic fatality in Edmonton for 2014.
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