Driver in fatal 97th Street crash facing criminal charges

Edmonton police have charged a 20-year-old man with impaired driving causing death in relation to a fiery crash Monday on 97th Street that claimed the life of a woman.

The man is also charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and refusal to comply with a blood demand, police said in a news release.

At about 4:30 p.m. Monday, police responded to a crash on 97th Street at 160th Avenue.

Witnesses said a blue Nissan Xterra was travelling northbound on 97th Street when it was struck from behind by a white Infiniti G37.

The Nissan caught fire and both vehicles veered into a ditch on the east side of the intersection.

The middle-aged woman driving the Nissan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other driver was treated and transported to hospital by EMS with non-life threatening injuries.

The death marks the 23rd traffic fatality in Edmonton this year.