Alcohol is believed to be involved in a late-night collision on Tuesday that killed a pedestrian, but Calgary police say it wasn’t the driver who was impaired.
The victim, a man in his 40s or 50s, was hit by a Cadillac XTS in the intersection of Macleod Trail and Southland Drive S.W. just after 10 p.m.
In a Wednesday news release, police said the victim was walking westbound across Macleod Trail at Southland Drive when he was hit. Police confirmed to Global News that the man was panhandling at the time.
“It is unclear whether the pedestrian was in the crosswalk when he was struck,” the release stated. “It appears that he was crossing against the pedestrian signals.”
The man was lying in the street as an unidentified woman gave him CPR, police said.
LISTEN: Calgary Homeless Foundation CEO Diana Krecsy joins Rob Breakenridge to discuss why people panhandling are especially vulnerable.
The victim was treated by EMS but succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Police said they don’t believe the male driver of the XTS, who was uninjured, was speeding and said the light was green as he passed through the intersection. He stayed at the scene and was not impaired by drugs or alcohol, officers said.
“Alcohol is considered to be a factor on the part of the pedestrian,” police added.