Sections of Yellowhead closed in aftermath of fatal crash

EDMONTON – One woman is dead after a collision with a big truck on the Yellowhead Trail on Thursday afternoon.

Police say the woman was driving west on the Yellowhead east of 121st Street when her car crossed the median into the eastbound lanes and was struck by a large transport truck.

The woman died at the scene.

Sean Hopper, 41, was eastbound on the Yellowhead when the crash happened. “I saw the tractor coming … Rather than cause more trouble, I decided to run (my truck) into the snowbank,” he said.

The transport truck, which did not appear to have been pulling a trailer, had its front bumper broken off. The driver of the truck, wearing blue overalls that read RPM Equipment, was not injured. He declined to comment: “Not right now,” he said at the scene.

Both lanes of Yellowhead from 107th Street to 121st Street are closed and are expected to remain closed for hours, police said.

Motorists are advised to use 127th Street, 127th Avenue and Kingsway as alternate routes.

Police spokeswoman Patrycia Thenu said roads are slippery because of the snowfall and warmer temperatures this morning.

Drivers are advised to slow down and exercise caution.

kkleiss@thejournal.canwest.com