News around Alberta August 27, 2013

• Charge Laid in Relation to Single Vehicle Injury MVC on Highway 2 north of Calgary
• ASIRT concludes investigation into Lethbridge Police use of force
• Highway 63 twinning takes big step forward
• Kitscoty RCMP issue request for Public Assistance re vehicle theft
• Six people injured in 3 vehicle collision on Highway 63

UPDATE: Charge Laid in Relation to Single Vehicle Injury MVC on Highway 2 north of Calgary
RCMP press release Tuesday, August 27, 2013 2:15 PM

On Sunday, July 28, 2013 at 2:30 PM, members of the Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) were dispatched to a single vehicle collision in the southbound lanes of Highway 2 just north of the Calgary city limits.

The Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit has completed its investigation into the collision.

The 70-year old male driver of the Honda, from Red Deer, AB, has now been charged with 1 count of Careless Driving under the Traffic Safety Act.

Integrated Traffic Units consist of RCMP Traffic Services members and Sheriff Highway Patrol officers working together in a collaborative effort to deliver effective and efficient traffic safety services to Albertans, with a focus on identified enforcement priorities.

ASIRT concludes investigation into Lethbridge Police use of force

Government of Alberta press release August 27, 2013

Clifton Purvis, ASIRT Executive Director

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has concluded its investigation into an alleged use of force incident that occurred in May 2013, involving a member of the Lethbridge Regional Police Service (LRPS).

On May 11th, 2013, the Lethbridge Regional Police Service received calls to the 911 line, reporting a domestic dispute. A number of police officers were dispatched to respond to those emergency calls. Upon arriving at the scene, one of the officers dealt with an adult female, who was identified as the reporter of the domestic dispute. A confrontation between the police officer and the female occurred and she suffered a fractured arm. As a result of the confrontation and ensuing injury, ASIRT was assigned by the Alberta Director of Law Enforcement to investigate.

ASIRT’s investigation revealed the affected person first called the 911 dispatch line to report an alleged domestic dispute. She made a second call to 911 operators four minutes later, expressing frustration that the police had not yet arrived. Through the investigation, a number of civilian and police witnesses were interviewed in relation to this incident. It was found that during the course of the contact between the female and the officer, she was put on the ground and handcuffed. After being handcuffed, she complained of soreness to her arm, and EMS was called to assess her condition. The female was eventually taken to hospital where it was learned she had a broken arm sustained in the contact with police.

“There were no witnesses to the actual use of force that resulted in the injury to the affected person. However, the evidence collected causes me to conclude that the affected person was angry prior to the arrival of police. Further, she conceded that she was waving her arms in close proximity to the subject officer and that it ‘may have looked’ like she was going to strike him. I am satisfied after having considered the completed investigative file, that the subject officer was lawfully placed in relation to his involvement in this incident. Further, I am satisfied that the subject officer laid hands on the affected person as she moved towards him and he used her own forward momentum to pull her to the ground in an effort to prevent an assault. It was during this contact that the affected person came to be injured. The use of force applied by the subject officer was reasonable in all of the circumstances and he was justified in doing so. I have determined there is no evidence to cause me to suspect a criminal offence occurred. As such, I am concluding our investigation at this time without charges.”

Highway 63 twinning takes big step forward

Government of Alberta press release August 27, 2013 

Motorists will soon see twinning construction in full swing on another 32 km of Highway 63 between House River and south of Mariana Lake. 

“We remain on track to meet the accelerated fall 2016 twinning schedule. This project is one of many major investments we are making to build Alberta, grow our economy, enhance market access and benefit all Albertans.”

- Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation

This 32 kilometre project, awarded through competitive tender to Carmacks Group Ltd. with a bid price of approximately $147 million, is scheduled to be complete by 2015. In addition to grading and paving to create two new highway lanes, three new bridges will be constructed to safely carry motorists over Bear Creek, Crow Creek and House River.

Since 2005, more than $350 million has been invested to twin Highway 63 between Grasslands and Fort McMurray. Albertans will see another three years of heavy construction activity along Highway 63 as twinning continues on an accelerated schedule for completion in fall 2016, an investment of approximately $1 billion. 

Crews began to mobilize onsite in mid-August and the work will be in full swing by the beginning of September. Crews will soon begin grading work around the clock, beginning near House River and making their way north.

“This region depends on safe and efficient transportation of both residents and business. Our government is doing what it takes to support our growing economy and population, both for Fort McMurray and the entire province.” 

- Don Scott, MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin and Associate Minister of Accountability, Transparency and Transformation

Protecting wildlife

Twinning this section of Highway 63 is one of the most environmentally complex projects along the entire highway route. It overlaps two Caribou Management zones and there are restrictions for construction activities during the bird nesting period and in stream activity.

To permit and protect wildlife passage, there will be 10 metre gaps left every 200 metres in topsoil stockpiles along the construction site. In addition, to help promote the Government of Alberta’s recovery goal of Arctic Grayling and other fish species, spawning pools will be constructed near the House River bridge site and turbidity monitoring will be conducted on a regular basis.

Highway 63 is unique in Alberta when it comes to construction challenges, including continuous muskeg and boreal forest, pipeline crossings, and the size of industrial vehicles needed for the oil sands, 30 per cent of which are heavy loads. The new twinning has been specially designed to safely serve oversized traffic in addition to regular vehicle traffic.

Access to markets

The accelerated twinning of Highway 63 is part of the government’s commitment to building Alberta’s economic future through a transportation network that helps move goods across Alberta to local, national or international destinations. Twinning between Highway 55 and Fort McMurray is one of many Highway 63 projects currently under construction to support market access and economic opportunities in the core transportation network, promote safe travel for industry and Albertans, and improve the flow of goods and services. 

Safety in construction zones

As with all construction zones in the province, drivers on Highway 63 are reminded to obey all signs, flag people and posted speed limits in construction zones. Speed fines are doubled when workers are present. Please leave extra time for your travels and drive with care.

Up-to-date road information, including traffic delays, is a click or a call away. Call 5-1-1 toll-free, visit 511.alberta.ca or follow us on Twitter @511Alberta to get on the road to safer travel.

Kitscoty RCMP issue request for Public Assistance re vehicle theft

RCMP press release August 27. 2013

Kitscoty RCMP is requesting the public's assistance to identify a person of interest in relation to a vehicle theft that occurred at a rural location north of Marwayne between July 9 and July 10, 2013. Attached is the photo from a 7-11 surveillance camera showing a woman buying a phone card for which the receipt was found inside the recovered vehicle stolen in this file.

Six people injured in 3 vehicle collision on Highway 63
RCMP press releases August 27

Six people have been injured in a serious collision on Highway 63. The collision happened at 7:30pm at the 18km mark (18km north of Atmore) of Highway 63 and involved three vehicles. Initial witness reports indicate that a southbound semi tractor trailer lost control while applying brakes and crossed into oncoming traffic.

The semi struck two northbound cars.

The first car had been occupied by a lone driver. The driver suffered serious but non life threatening injuries.

The second vehicle contained four occupants and immediately burst into flames. Nearby construction workers witnessed the collision and rendered assistance to the injured parties in the burning vehicle. All four occupants were removed from the car and given first aid before the vehicle became fully engulfed.

Three of the injured occupants have been flown to Edmonton Hospitals via STARS and fixed wing aircraft. The remaining injured parties were brought to area hospitals.. The collision caused the closure of Highway 63 16km north of the Highway 55 junction. The closure lasted for a period of nine hours. The highway is set to reopen to traffic at 3:00am.

Three of the victims who were transported to Edmonton are considered in serious condition. Among the injured are a female aged 21 and two males aged 19 and 48. The injured parties were from the same vehicle and are related to one another.

Investigators continue to investigate the cause of this collision.

Alcohol is not believed to have played a role in this collision.