Bow Island RCMP said two people were killed in a crash between a car and pick-up truck on Highway 3, roughly eight kilometres east of Grassy Lake around 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. RCMP said the drivers of both vehicles died in the collision.
Global News has learned Alberta Sheriff Chris Gerbrandt, 46, was off duty and driving the pick-up truck. An 18-year-old woman was driving the car.
There were three people in the truck and one person in the car at the time of the crash. The two passengers in the truck were Gerbrandt’s wife Kim and youngest son Colton. They were both taken to Medicine Hat Regional Hospital with serious injuries.
RCMP said the car crossed the centre line and hit the truck head-on.
Police continue to investigate what caused the crash but alcohol has been ruled out. Speed and distracted driving are being looked at as possible factors.
Many in Medicine Hat and the surrounding area were mourning the loss of Gerbrandt. In addition to working as a sheriff, he was also a captain in the cadet instructor corps.
“Just a super, super nice guy,” said Barry Yard, a friend of Gerbrandt.
Cadet James Whaley remembers Gerbrandt as a strong leader and role model.
“He took me under his wing and he was fantastic with me and many other kids,” Whaley said. “It wasn’t just me. He was fantastic with every kid that came through the door.
Ken Montgomery, para-legal court agent and friend of Gerbrandt, knew him through the courthouse but most notably through the Medicine Hat Robert Burns Club. Chris was the club’s photographer.
Montgomery said Chris was very well liked and involved in the community in many ways.
Gerbrandt was also the owner of ‘Razer Sports’ in Medicine Hat, a sports photography company. He was on his way to a shoot before the crash happened.
This was the second fatal collision to take place on Highway 3 in one week and the string of crashes has renewed calls for improvements to the road.
Some municipalities between Taber and Medicine Hat have been working for 20 years to twin the highway with little response from the provincial government, they say.
Brian Brewin, reeve of the Municipal District of Taber, said that while some studies have been done, and passing lanes added, he and many others in the area would like to see more.
“Anybody who travels that highway on a daily basis knows how dangerous that highway can be. The traffic is getting higher and higher on it,” Brewin said. “There has been some preliminary work done, but we really need to get this on the priority list.”
*EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published on Dec. 12, then updated to include the identity of one of the victims.
With files from Blake Lough, Global News
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