Calgary police say excessive speed and drug use are being investigated as potential factors in a crash that killed one pedestrian and injured two others — including a child — near Chinook Centre on Thursday evening.
The crash happened at the intersection of Macleod Trail and Glenmore Trail at around 8:15 p.m.
In a Friday news release, Calgary police said a GMC Terrain was travelling on southbound Macleod Trail S.E. in the right-hand exit lane.
“The vehicle tried to make a right-hand turn onto westbound Glenmore, but it appears — because it was going so fast – it actually failed to negotiate that right-hand bend,” Sgt. Colin Foster said.
Instead of following the curve of the exit lane and turning right, the vehicle continued straight, hitting a man, woman and child – who was in a stroller – on the raised triangular-shaped island between the right-turn lane and the through-travel lanes.
Police said the victims were waiting to cross Macleod Trail.
The man, who was 21-years-old, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The woman, also 21, was taken to the Foothills Medical Centre with multiple serious injuries. EMS said her condition has since been upgraded to stable.
The child, a one-year-old, was rushed to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in serious, life-threatening condition.
Police said the driver of the GMC, a 28-year-old man, exited the vehicle and left on foot but was apprehended a short time later.
“It would appear that the vehicle came to a halt fairly shortly after the collision scene, and the driver left the vehicle,” Foster said. “The reason the driver left the vehicle is still something that we are going to be investigating.”
He was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Charges against the driver are pending, police said.
Witnesses who saw the crash were shaken.
“I can’t imagine what that’s like to go through,” Nick Morrissey told Global News. “I don’t personally have any children but I have a niece that I’m close to and I can’t imagine anything happening to her.
“It would be brutal to deal with that, especially when all you were doing was being out for a walk, or shopping — everyday stuff.
“You start off your day thinking it’s just another day … and then it ends up like this.”
The crash closed southbound lanes of Macleod Trail at 61 Avenue as police investigated.
Police are looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage. They are asked to call the traffic section at 403-567-4000, or the police non-emergency number at 403-266-1234.
Tips may also be left anonymously through Crime Stoppers.