Policing in Alberta to January 10, 2014

RCMP press releases

• Fatality Motor Vehicle Collision near Morinville
• RCMP investigating death of a 20-year-old Maskwacis man
• Update on injured RCMP officer
• De Winton area residential break-ins under investigation
• Two vehicle collision near Bowden
• Single vehicle collision near Redcliff results in multiple injuries
• Mail thefts in De Winton and Blackie area

Fatality Motor Vehicle Collision near Morinville

On January 10, 2014 at approximately 2:30 a.m., Morinville RCMP and emergency services responded to a serious motor vehicle collision on Highway 28 and the intersection of Township 554.

The driver, and lone occupant, of a pickup truck travelling eastbound on Township 554 was approaching the intersection with Highway 28. The eastbound pickup did not stop before entering the intersection. A southbound pickup was unable to stop and collided with the first pickup.

The driver of the eastbound pickup succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the southbound pickup truck, and his passengers, were treated at the scene for minor injuries and released.

Highway 28 was closed while RCMP conducted their investigation and crews removed debris.

Alcohol is not considered to be a factor in the incident. Road conditions at the time were slippery with icy sections.

The identity of the deceased is not being released at this time at the request of the family. Morinville County Victim Services is providing assistance to family and friends.

Morinville RCMP Traffic Services along with an RCMP Collision Analyst continue to investigate.

RCMP investigating death of a 20-year-old Maskwacis man

Maskwacis, Alberta - On January 9, 2014 at approximately 11:00 PM, Maskwacis RCMP officers along with RCMP Police Dog Service and Emergency Medical Services responded to a firearms complaint in the Samson Cree Nation Townsite. A 20-year-old male from Maskwacis was fatally injured in an incident and police are investigating the death. Police believe this may not have been a random act and are investigating whether this was gang related. The cause of death is to be determined at an autopsy scheduled for 1:00 PM today.

Maskwacis RCMP Detachment are assisted by the Wetaskiwin / Maskwacis General Investigation Section, Southern Alberta Major Crimes Unit, Forensic Identification Section, Maskwacis Community Response Unit, Special Tactical Operations and Police Dog Services.

Update on injured RCMP officer

The RCMP member who was seriously injured after he was run over by a vehicle near Vegreville earlier this week has undergone surgery and is in stable condition. It is expected that he will remain in hospital for some time yet.

The RCMP will not be releasing his name due to privacy considerations. The names of both of the members injured during the Vegreville incident will be available to the public when the charges are sworn. That will happen when the suspect is deemed medically fit to appear in court.

De Winton area residential break-ins under investigation

Okotoks RCMP are investigating several rural residential break and enters and attempted break and enters in the De Winton area, off Dunbow Road and in Norris Coulee. All occurred on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 between 1030 am and 630 pm. In one of the occurrences, the residents were home when the door was kicked in. Suspects gained entry by smashing through doors and/or windows. Numerous items were taken including a big screen TV, Ipad, and laptop.

The suspect vehicle has been identified as a burgundy Dodge Magnum with a broken drivers side tail light.

Suspect #1: African American male, approx 5'5, slim build, wearing black and white track pants and a black jacket

Suspect #2: Hispanic male, approx 5'7, stocky build, early 30's, wearing a red hoodie and red coveralls with a facial piercing

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious persons or vehicles in the area at this time, or with information regarding these occurrences to contact Okotoks RCMP at (403)938-4202 or Crimestoppers 1-800-222-TIPS.

Two vehicle collision near Bowden

On January 9, 2014 at approximately 4:00 PM, a member of the Red Deer County Patrol observed a southbound vehicle travel through a stop sign at a high rate of speed, and collide with a westbound vehicle. The Innisfail RCMP and Red Deer Integrated Traffic Services, along with Fire and Ambulance attended the scene located at Range Road 14 and Hwy 587 west of Bowden, Alberta.

The vehicle traveling southbound on Range Road 14, a White Dodge Pickup truck driven by a 37 year old male of Barwell, continued through the intersection controlled by a stop sign and collided with a White dodge pickup truck being driven by a 55 year old male from Lacombe, which was traveling westbound on 587. A third vehicle traveling eastbound on Hwy 587 took the ditch on the south side to avoid the collision.

The drivers were the lone occupants of the two vehicles involved in the collision both were transported to hospital via ground ambulance.

The matter is still under investigation by the Innisfail RCMP and charges are pending.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in collision.

Single vehicle collision near Redcliff results in multiple injuries

On January 9th, 2014 at approximately 1100 AM, Redcliff RCMP, Schuler Fire Department, Medicine Hat Ambulance, and HALO Air Ambulance were dispatched to a single vehicle collision on Highway 41 approximately 2KM North of Schuler. Road conditions at the time were blowing snow with icy sections. 

A GMC Sierra truck was southbound when it attempted to pass a semi. The driver, a 19 year old female from Redcliff, Alberta lost control of the vehicle where it entered the ditch. The vehicle then struck an approach and rolled. The passenger a 23 year old male from Shaunavon, SK was not wearing his seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. 

 
The driver suffered minor injuries and was transported via ground ambulance to Medicine Hat Hospital. The passenger suffered more serious but non-life threatening injuries as a result of being ejected. The passenger was transported via HALO Air Ambulance to Medicine Hat Hospital. Both are in stable condition and are expected to make a full recovery from the injuries.

As we are still in winter driving conditions the RCMP would like to remind the public to drive according to the road conditions and again RCMP urge the public to buckle up before traveling.

Mail thefts in De Winton and Blackie area

RCMP in Okotoks and High River are investigating the theft of mail and damage to several mailboxes in rural De Winton, the Town of Blackie and surrounding areas.

Numerous entries were made to individual mailboxes where suspects rummaged through mail leaving envelopes and locks strewn about. These incidents occurred between Wednesday, January 8th and the early morning hours of Thursday, January 9th, 2014.