A devastating multi-vehicle collision on Stoney Trail Sunday night has claimed four lives, including a child, and left several others critically injured in what authorities are calling a tragic incident involving wrong-way driving.
The crash occurred around 11 p.m. in the northbound lanes near Tsuut'ina Parkway when a silver 2011 Mercedes Benz C350 travelling southbound in the northbound lanes collided head-on with a 2016 Subaru Impreza, according to Calgary Police Service.
Emergency Response
Calgary Fire crews arrived to find two vehicles completely engulfed in flames and a third severely damaged. "Upon arrival, crews immediately initiated an aggressive fire attack while simultaneously conducting rapid searches of the involved vehicles and providing emergency care to those who could be reached," the fire department stated.
All three occupants of the Mercedes—a woman and a child—were pronounced dead at the scene, along with a 43-year-old man who was the sole occupant of the Subaru.
Additional Victims
A third vehicle, a Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 52-year-old woman, also collided with the Mercedes. The driver and three occupants were transported to hospital. One patient has sustained a life-altering injury but remains in non-life-threatening condition, police confirmed.
"This is an incredibly tragic situation," said Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward with Calgary Police. "The speed at which this collision occurred, combined with the head-on nature of the impact, created catastrophic results."
Investigation Underway
The Calgary Police Traffic Unit is investigating the cause of the crash, with speed and impairment being considered as contributing factors. Authorities note that a full determination will depend on autopsy results expected later this week.
Notably, 911 dispatchers received calls minutes before the collision reporting a vehicle driving the wrong way on Stoney Trail. "That vehicle was described as white or silver, and one of the vehicles involved in the collision was silver," Woodward explained. "Trying to intercept a wrong-way driver is extremely difficult—you would need a police vehicle in exactly the right location at exactly the right moment, and unfortunately that didn't occur in this case."
The Calgary Police Traffic Unit continues its investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Calgary Police at (403) 266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
This article was adapted from reporting by Global Calgary.