One person killed near 17-vehicle crash west of Edmonton

EDMONTON — A 40-year-old Edson man is dead after his pickup truck rear-ended a semi truck on Highway 16 Thursday night.

RCMP were called to the two-vehicle crash in Yellowhead County around 7:35 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of the highway near Range Road 121.

The 40-year-old man was the only person in the pickup. He died of his injuries at the scene. His name is not being released.

At the same time and location, but in the westbound lanes of Highway 16, there was a 17-vehicle crash.  There were no injuries reported, but the highway was shut down for several hours to remove the damaged vehicles.

The road, about 45 kilometres west of Evansburg, had to be closed between Range Road 121 and Highway 751 due to “zero visibility” from smoke from a controlled burn in the area.

“Weather conditions caused smoke dispersion that reduced visibility on the highway,” said Stefan Felsing, a spokesperson with Yellowhead County.

The road was re-opened shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday. But traffic again had to be diverted Friday along Township Road 551 north of Highway 16 after the heavy smoke reached ground level and impaired visibility.

Around 3:30 Friday afternoon the eastbound lanes were re-opened. The westbound lanes are expected to be open to traffic later Friday afternoon.

Drivers are advised to drive slowly in the area.

For the latest on the highway condition, head to 511 Alberta’s website, follow 511 Alberta on Twitter or visit Alberta Emergency Alert’s website.