Charges Laid in Bus Collision
Smoky Lake RCMP
Submitted
Smoky Lake, Alta. – After an extensive investigation and assistance from RCMP Collision Analysts and Crown consultation, Smoky Lake RCMP have charged a 66-year-old bus driver in relation to the collision that occurred on Dec. 2, 2019 on Highway 28 near Smoky Lake.
The driver was charged with careless driving under the Traffic Safety Act and will be appearing in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court on Aug. 6, 2020. No further updates are anticipated as this matter is now before the courts.
Back on Dec. 2, 2019, Smoky Lake issued a press release which stated, “This morning at approximately 8:30 a.m., Smoky Lake RCMP responded to a report of a collision at Highway 28 and Range Road 180 approximately 5 km west of Smoky Lake involving a school bus and a crane.
Preliminary information is that there were approximately 14 students from the H.A. Kostash School along with a bus driver on board when a collision occurred with a crane. The bus was northbound on Range Road 180 and the crane was westbound on Highway 28 when a collision occurred.
One youth suffered serious life threatening injuries and was transported via STARS to Edmonton. Another youth was taken via EMS with serious non-life threatening injuries. The remaining students and bus driver were taken to hospital for further assessment with various injuries and observation by a separate bus that attended the scene.
The driver of the crane was taken to hospital with minor injuries and a passenger was not injured.
Parents of the students involved have been contacted and the school is providing support. Redwater Victim Services is also assisting.
Smoky Lake RCMP along with a RCMP Collision Analyst remain on scene and the investigation continues.”