At approximately 3:06 a.m. today (Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015) the driver of a Toyota Camry travelling east on Yellowhead Trail, observed an RCMP Checkstop positioned at 17 Street and made a U-turn, heading westbound against traffic on Yellowhead Trail.
Shortly after, the Toyota Camry collided head on with a Mercedes Benz SUV travelling east bound. The Camry was found on its roof in the green space between the east and west bound lanes of Yellowhead Trail, at approximately 35 Street. The Toyota also collided with a Chevrolet Cobalt that was also travelling eastbound on Yellowhead Trail.
The 21-year-old male driver of the Camry and a 21-year-old female passenger located in the rear seat were pronounced deceased on scene. A 22-year-old male occupying the front passenger seat sustained severe injuries and was treated and transported to hospital.
The 33-year-old male driver of the Mercedes SUV sustained severe injuries, and was treated and taken to hospital. The 23-year-old female driver of the Cobalt was also treated and taken to hospital as a precaution for a less severe injury.
Due to the circumstances involved, ASIRT has been directed to conduct a review of the EPS investigation by the Director of Law Enforcement.
Speed and alcohol are considered to be factors in this collision. All involved drivers and passengers were found to be wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.
These are Edmonton’s 17th and 18th traffic fatalities of 2015.