Police say don't drink and drive, after 'horrific' crash kills 2 family members on Metis Trail
Two women are dead, and one man is in life-threatening condition after a high-speed collision early this morning at the intersection of Metis Trail and 128th Avenue in the northeast.
The women were passengers in a 2009 Toyota Corolla that was turning in the intersection, from southbound Metis Trail N.E. onto eastbound 128 Avenue N.E., when it was T-boned by a black 2012 Hyundai travelling northbound along Metis Trail N.E., around 12:30 a.m.
The driver of the Hyundai allegedly ran a red light, said Det. Shawn Rupchan with Calgary police.
The women, aged 65 and 31, were passengers in the Toyota. The driver and a third passenger, a 70-year-old male, were transported to Foothills Medical Centre — the 70-year-old male in life-threatening condition, and the 42-year-old driver in stable condition.
The four people in the Toyota were all members of the same family and were on their way home, police said.
The 21-year-old driver of the Hyundai was not injured in the crash. He was in police custody and has since been released, and police say speed and alcohol are factors in the collision. No charges have been laid yet.
'It's devastating and it's frustrating'
Acting Sgt. Dan Rogers with Calgary police said deaths from drinking and driving are completely preventable.
"In my 19 years on the job and my four years in traffic I'm kind of tired of picking up bodies," said Rogers at a scrum Saturday afternoon.
"I don't know how many innocent people have to die before people figure out that drinking and driving kills."
Rogers said crashes like this one impact so many people.
"It's devastating and it's frustrating … enjoy your May long weekend. Have fun. If you choose to drink, do not drive, period."
Rogers said from Calgary Transit, to Uber, to taxis, there are plenty of options people can take that won't put lives at risk.
"Whatever the results may come of this collision, whether charges are laid or not, all the individuals involved — their lives have changed forever," he said.
"It's horrific and I just wish people wouldn't do it."
Rogers said in a collision like this, police look at charges like dangerous driving causing death and impaired driving causing death. He said there was one witness on the scene that saw the collision happen, but the collision reconstruction team will be able to say more conclusively what happened.
