A father and his daughter were killed in a collision on Macleod Trail in Calgary Wednesday afternoon.
According to police, at around 5:20 p.m., a three-quarter ton pick-up truck driven by a man in his 50s rear-ended a sedan with three occupants travelling north in the left-hand lane. The hit caused the car to spin and cross the centre median into the southbound lanes, where it was struck by a half-ton truck.
Police closed Macloed Trail S.E. between Anderson Road and Canyon Meadows Drive as the collision happened near Lake Fraser Gate S.E. The road was later reopened.
The three people in the car were extracted by the Calgary Fire Department. A 37-year-old man and his seven-year-old daughter were declared dead on the scene. An 11-year-old girl was taken to hospital in serious condition and was later released to recover at home.
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“To the family and friends of the victims, our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. This is a season in which we should be celebrating with our loved ones, not mourning their loss,” traffic section Sgt. Colin Foster said in a statement.
A Thursday morning news release from police said after the collision, the first truck continued north, crossed the centre median and southbound lanes, driving up the shoulder and coming to rest on Canadian Pacific Railway tracks.
Police said the man driving the truck wasn’t injured and fled the truck on foot. He was apprehended nearby and was taken into custody.
Thursday afternoon, police confirmed 51-year-old Yannick Joseph Bouchard was charged with failing/refusing to provide a breath sample following a fatal accident, two counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm, two counts of hit and run causing death and one count of hit and run causing bodily harm.
“Bouchard remains in custody at this time pending his next court appearance,” a police news release said.
CPS said there’s no evidence of impairment of the driver of the three-quarter ton truck, but excessive speed is considered a factor.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or may have dashcam footage to contact police by calling 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers.
They are also reminding anyone who may have witnessed or was affected by the incident to find help by calling 211 or the Calgary Police Service Victims Assistance Support Team at 403-428-8398.
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