A head-on collision between a fuel truck and a red pickup at approximately 3 p.m. Aug. 28 sent two Athabasca County residents to hospital.
The incident took place on Highway 55, approximately 16 kilometres west of Lac La Biche. A 28-year-old male was driving the pickup and was accompanied by a 21-year-old female passenger.
An eastbound Chevrolet half-ton "ended up going into the oncoming lane of traffic" and collided with the westbound fuel truck, according to Lac La Biche RCMP Cst. Chris Clark.
Authorities closed that part of Highway 55 for six-and-a-half hours. The Boyle Integrated Traffic Unit attended the scene and provided traffic control, and a collision analyst from St. Paul also attended to assist with the investigation.
"At this point, alcohol and speed don't appear to be factors," said Clark, as the investigation into the cause of the collision continues.
The male suffered serious injuries and was air lifted by fixed-wing aircraft to the University of Edmonton Hospital as STARS Air Ambulance "was not able to attend," and he was listed in "critical, but stable condition," according to Clark.
The female occupant of the pickup as well the 59-year-old fuel truck driver were transported to the William J. Cadzow-Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre by ground ambulance where they were treated for minor injuries and subsequently released.
