A pair of motor vehicle collisions happened in the MD of Bonnyville on Jan. 22, which left one man dead and another man seriously injured.
A pair of motor vehicle collisions happened in the MD of Bonnyville on Jan. 22, which left one man dead and another man seriously injured.
Anthony Maskell, 61, of Edmonton, died when the semi gravel-hauler he was driving lost control and rolled over near the intersection of Highway 41 and Highway 657, according to an RCMP report.
At around 11:45 a.m., the semi was observed partially entering a ditch and over-correcting, causing the vehicle to lose control and roll over, spilling gravel and ejecting the driver from the vehicle.
"The road and weather conditions were very good and were not a factor. Alcohol or drugs are not believed to be a factor," wrote Bonnyville RCMP Staff Sgt. Luis Gandolfi in the police report. "Seat belts may have prevented this fatality and motorists are reminded to buckle up when driving."
Later that afternoon, two vehicles were involved in a serious collision on Highway 881 just north of Highway 28.
According to the RCMP report, a pickup truck heading west on a rural road failed to stop, entering Highway 881 and was struck by a southbound tractor trailer, seriously injuring the driver of the pickup truck.
"We had fire, EMS and police on scene at both accidents quite quickly," said Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) Chief Brian McEvoy. "A BRFA paramedic treated and transported the patient from the accident to the hospital in St. Paul."
The driver of the pickup truck was arrested at the scene for impaired driving. Police are awaiting lab results before proceeding to charge the driver.
"No charges are pending against the other driver (of the tractor trailer) who was not injured," wrote Gandolfi. "Impaired driving is a leading cause of serious injury and death on Alberta roadways. Please don't drink and drive."
The two accidents add to what has been a busy month of January for emergency services in the Bonnyville region.
"So far in the MD and Town of Bonnyville combined, the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority has responded to 15 motor vehicle collisions, starting on Jan. 8, as well as four structure fires," said McEvoy.
