‘The city was operating a vehicle in an unsafe way’ Johnston family speaks out after charges are laid in Whoop Up fatality

Eleven months after a fatal motor vehicle collision on Whoop Up Drive, Sam Johnston still agonizes over what happened that day.

“Anybody on the west side could have been killed that day,” Sam Johnston said. “It could have been a family in a mini-van, It could have been someone coming home from work. The City (of Lethbridge) was operating a vehicle in an unsafe way, and it killed someone.”

Sam’s dad, Alan, died from the result of a collision with a City of Lethbridge case loader.

Thursday night, 31-year-old Lethbridge man Scott Edward Erickson was charged with one count of dangerous driving causing death. Bringing some closure to a very long process for the Johnston family.

“Relief, that the wheels of justice are still turning,” Johnston said. “And we’re glad that they’ve come to the conclusion that something bad happened.”

Police have ruled alcohol and speed out as factors in the collision. Investigators say sun glare, the driving pattern of the loader, and a lack of warning signage and pilot vehicle, contributed to the crash.

Global News contacted the City of Lethbridge asking if the driver was operating under proper protocol at the time of the collision and whether any protocols have changed since. They referred us to this statement.

“We recognize that the fatality on Whoop-Up Drive last November is a tragedy for the family of the man who lost his life and for our entire community. Since this event, the City of Lethbridge employee involved has been reassigned to another city department with other duties until this matter is resolved. Our employee has now been charged, but at this time he has not been convicted of any offence. This matter is now before the courts. To respect the integrity of the legal process, we are unable to provide any further comment.”

Global also contacted occupational health and safety, who said since the employee was not injured they did not play an active role in the investigation.

In the 11 months since the collision, the Johnston’s haven’t heard from the City of Lethbridge.

“My father was killed by a city worker, driving a city vehicle, doing city business, during operating hours,” Sam Johnston said. “I think an apology would have been nice. Someone showing up to see how mom’s doing, a card, maybe some flowers for the funeral. Something, anything, but just nothing, is still a little surprising.”

Time’s passed, the legal process is moving forward, but for Sam and his family, they still feel a void.

“There’s still a whole missing where dad used to be,” said Johnston. “We’re still kind of shocked and surprised that he’s gone. He wasn’t supposed to be gone yet.”

The Johnston family says they aren’t ruling out civil action against the city.