EDMONTON – A woman and seven-month-old from Bretton died in a head-on crash on a highway south of Edmonton on Tuesday morning.
“At approximately 1 a.m. this morning, there was a collision between a small SUV and a semi tanker that was headed eastbound on Highway 39 just east of Range Road 33. It was head-on collision between the two vehicles,” said Sgt. Gary Hollender, with Thorsby/Bretton RCMP.
“The tanker truck went off into the south ditch, was able to stay upright, but did catch fire. The fire was put out by the Warburg Fire Deptartment a couple of hours later.”
Get breaking National news
The driver of the truck was not injured, but the two people in the SUV died instantly.
“There was two occupants in the small SUV,” explained Hollender, “a 20-year-old female driver and a 7-month old female occupant in the back-seat. Both were deceased immediately at the scene.”
Hollenger says, at this time, RCMP aren’t anticipating charges will be laid against the driver of the truck.
RCMP are still investigating this crash, but say the SUV appears to have drifted into the oncoming lane.
“For some unknown reason, it appears the small SUV crossed the centre line, directly into the path of the truck, with the very short closing distance.”
Hollenger says the driver of the truck was shaken, but uninjured.
The crash was also difficult for some RCMP members responding to the call.
“It’s always difficult,” shares Hollenger. “I’ve been in policing for a number of years. One of the officers on scene and myself both have children, and it can take a certain emotional toll.”
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.