Police believe speed was a factor in a fatal crash on Deerfoot Trail on Friday.
It happened just south of Seton Boulevard S.E. at around 7:45 a.m.
Investigators said a silver 2005 Honda Accord was travelling southbound when it left the roadway and hit the cement base of a sign post in the centre median.
When they arrived, EMS found the 29-year-old driver had been pulled from the wreckage; witnesses were attempting to perform CPR on him.
EMS transported the victim to the South Health Campus in life-threatening condition where he was pronounced dead.
The collision caused the closure of several lanes of Deerfoot Trail.
Both northbound and southbound Deerfoot Trail was clear by noon.
Wire barriers stretch across most of Deerfoot Trail to avoid similar crashes, but not at the scene of the crash south of Seton Boulevard.
Alberta Transportation said this particular stretch of road is designed to be barrier-free because the median is wide enough.
Police said it’s unclear if it would have helped.
“When we start extending out of the city, it all comes down to whether or not there’s a history of collisions at that location,” Sgt. Colin Foster with the Calgary police traffic unit said. “At this particular location – to warrant the erection of barriers – I’m not aware of any major collisions recently.”
But he does point out that the barriers do save lives.
“They are also designed to slow the vehicle down. It really does reduce the amount of injury and the seriousness of the injuries that you can sustain,” Foster said.
The investigation into what caused the crash is ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Const. Greene with the Calgary Police Service at 403-567-4000.
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