Piikani councillor identified as victim in head-on crash near Lethbridge

A councillor for southern Alberta’s Piikani Nation has been identified as the man killed in a fatal head-on crash near Lethbridge.

Barnaby Provost, 42, died late Monday afternoon after his car collided with a vehicle travelling the wrong direction in the westbound lanes of Highway 3, just west of Highway 509.

Provost was travelling with his 12-year-old daughter who was taken to hospital after the crash as a precaution.

“He represented everything that was good in the world,” Piikani Chief Stanley Grier said on Tuesday.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He represented everything that was good in the world," Piikani Chief Stanley Grier said on Tuesday.

“He never smoked cigarettes, he never consumed alcohol, never experimented with drugs, pursued post-secondary education, has several post-secondary degrees — one of them is a master’s degree in education.”

During his time as a councillor, Provost oversaw various portfolios, including housing and education.

He also spent many years with the Peigan Board of Education working as a teacher, coach, principal and trustee.

Following news of Provost’s death, classes were cancelled on Tuesday at the Piikani Nation Secondary School.

In a Facebook post, the school also said its Grade 6 and Grade 9 graduations have been postponed until further notice.

Coaldale RCMP are still investigating Monday’s crash.

There’s still no word if the 61-year-old driver of the vehicle that was travelling in the wrong direction down Highway 3 will be facing any charges.