Stony Plain RCMP officer, 25, on the job 7 months before fatal accident

EDMONTON – A Stony Plain RCMP officer is dead after a traffic collision early Monday.

Const. Chelsey Alice Robinson from the Stony Plain detachment died in hospital after a collision between her fully-marked RCMP cruiser and a semi-tractor trailer.

Robinson was responding to reports of a drunk driver going against the flow of traffic on Highway 16 when she was hit by a semi near the intersection of Range Road 15 and Highway 16 at about 12:45 a.m.

The single occupant of the semi-truck sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.

Robinson’s next of kin has been notified, RCMP spokesman Sgt. Tim Taniguchi said in a news release.

Robinson, 25, had been on the job for seven months. Stony Plain was her first post with the RCMP, though she spent a year-and-a-half with the forensic identification unit before joining the regular force.

“It so tragic when someone young dies this way,” said Assistant Commissioner Peter Hourihan. “The police community is a large family because of the work we do and the dangers we face, so we treat them as one of our own.”

Hourihan said the investigation is ongoing, but as of now, no charges are planned against the driver of the semi.

Premier Ed Stelmach expressed his sadness over the loss of Robinson.

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of Const. Chelsey Robinson,” said Premier Stelmach. “The loss of one of our finest in red serge in the line of duty is a tragic event that is mourned by all Albertans. My thoughts and prayers go out to Const. Robinson’s family and friends and her colleagues in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police during this tragic time.”