Red Deer man faces multiple charges for Deerfoot collision that killed 1 person
Police say it appears a driver was travelling in the wrong direction early Friday
A 29-year-old Red Deer man is facing multiple charges after a Friday morning crash in Calgary killed one person.
Calgary Police Service (CPS) say alcohol is considered a factor in the collision on Deerfoot Trail, which police responded to at about 3:15 a.m.
According to CPS, the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck was going the wrong way in the southbound lane between 32nd Avenue and 16th Avenue N.E. early Friday, which led to a collision with a car.
When police arrived at the scene, they found significant front-end damage on the truck and severe damage to the car, a Friday news release stated. Shortly after, police found the driver of the car, a 27-year-old male, who was declared dead at the scene.
Police said the victim has been identified but their identity is being held while next of kin are notified.
The driver of the truck, Tyson Tyler Giroux, who sustained minor injuries, was taken into custody at the scene and is facing the following charges:
- One count of failure or refusal to comply with a demand after an accident resulting in death
- One count of impaired operation of a conveyance causing death
- One count of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death
🟢UPDATE 2: Southbound Deerfoot Trail between 32 Avenue N.E. and 16 Avenue N.E. is now open. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yyc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yyc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yycroads?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yycroads</a><br><br>⛔️UPDATE: Northbound Deerfoot Trail is now open. Southbound Deerfoot between 32 Avenue N.E. and 16 Avenue N.E. will remain closed for most of the morning.
—@CalgaryPolice"Today's collision shows the risk of making the wrong decisions," said Sgt. Colin Foster, from CPS's collision reconstruction unit, in the release.
"In this case, it was the decisions to drink and drive, and travel the wrong way on a roadway, which sadly resulted in the death of another motorist.," he said. "The message is clear: do not drink and drive."
Following the incident, both lanes were closed on Deerfoot Trail for several hours while police investigated.
The northbound lane reopened shortly after 7 a.m., while the southbound lane followed at about 10:30 a.m.
'It's something so preventable'
Tracy Franklin with Mothers Against Drunk Drivers said the news was devastating, especially so close to the Christmas season.
"Now, a family starts this journey of losing a loved one, at this time of year," said Franklin, who lost her daughter to an impaired driver.
"Not that it's easy at any time, but it's something so preventable and they're taken away for no reason."
Franklin said the Christmas season brings with it large gatherings, making it important for attendees to plan ahead.
"That decision has to be in place before you start, just to help keep everybody safe, and get everybody home for the holiday season," she said.
CPS is asking anyone with information or dashcam footage of the incident to contact police at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Calgary Crime Stoppers through its website or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
With files from Joclyn Cozac