Senior Dies in Morning Crash; School Bus Occupants Unharmed
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) from the Wetaskiwin detachment are conducting an investigation into a fatal head-on collision that occurred Thursday morning near the town of Millet. The crash involved an SUV and a school bus and resulted in the death of a 70-year-old man from Sherwood Park.
Police were called to the scene at the intersection of Highway 814 and Township Road 480 at approximately 7:50 a.m. on December 4. Upon arrival, officers discovered the driver of the SUV, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, had died. He has been publicly identified as a resident of Sherwood Park.
Bus Carrying Students Emerges Without Injury
Remarkably, all five occupants of the school bus escaped physical injury. This group included the driver and four students. The fact that no one on the bus was hurt has been noted by authorities as a fortunate outcome given the severity of the collision.
Emergency crews and police investigators remained at the location for several hours to manage the scene, clear the wreckage, and begin their forensic analysis. The area was closed to traffic during this time, causing significant disruptions to local morning commutes.
Poor Road Conditions a Suspected Factor
While the RCMP's investigation remains active and ongoing, preliminary findings suggest that adverse road conditions may have played a role in causing the tragic accident. The early December weather in Alberta often leads to icy and slippery highways, which can be particularly hazardous.
The RCMP has not released the name of the deceased, pending notification of all family members. The investigation will seek to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the head-on impact. Police are likely reviewing any available traffic camera footage and seeking witnesses who may have seen the vehicles prior to the collision.
This incident serves as a somber reminder for all motorists to exercise extreme caution during winter driving conditions, reducing speed and increasing following distances to account for reduced traction on Alberta's rural highways.
