A devastating collision on one of Alberta's busiest highways has claimed three lives and left another child fighting for survival, prompting a full investigation by RCMP.
The tragedy unfolded Thursday evening on Highway 16 west of Lloydminster when a southbound SUV attempting to cross the Yellowhead Highway at an intersection near Reinhart Industrial Park collided with a westbound semi-truck around 7:20 p.m.
A 37-year-old female driver from Vermilion was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Three children who were passengers in the vehicle were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, according to Kitscoty RCMP.
The situation became increasingly dire as the hours passed. Two of the children—ages five and nine—succumbed to their injuries while undergoing hospital treatment. An eight-year-old child remains in critical condition, fighting for recovery as medical teams provide intensive care.
Investigation Underway
Officers from Kitscoty RCMP continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Police have confirmed that speed and alcohol were not contributing factors to the collision, though the investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine exactly what led to the tragic sequence of events.
The status of the semi-truck driver remains unclear, with RCMP not releasing information about potential injuries to the commercial vehicle operator.
Highway 16 was closed for several hours as emergency responders worked at the scene and investigators gathered evidence. The highway reopened to traffic at 2 a.m. Friday morning.
This collision adds to Alberta's growing highway safety concerns, highlighting the dangers of intersections on major transportation corridors where high-speed traffic meets crossing vehicles.
This report was adapted from coverage by CBC Edmonton.