Last Wednesday’s strong winds contributed to a collision along Highway 44 near Jarvie that resulted in one man’s death.
Just after 1 p.m. on Jan. 15, Westlock RCMP received a call of a collision on Highway 44 just south of the Jarvie turnoff where two vehicles had been blown off the road into the ditch along the east side of the road.
A pickup truck travelling north had been blown into the ditch, and the male driver got out to survey the scene.
Shortly after, a double-trailer grain truck loaded with fertilizer drove up the highway and was also blown into the ditch by the winds, striking the man.
The 35-year-old man from Grouard, Alta. died on scene as a result of his injuries. No other injuries were reported.
Police are not releasing the names of those involved. The incident remains under investigation.
Westlock RCMP Staff Sgt. Dwayne Rawson said weather and road conditions were the main factors leading to the incident.
“The highway was very slick with ice and there were very strong crosswinds,” he said.
The highway was closed from the Jarvie turnoff south to Township Road 632 until around 3:15 p.m.
Rawson said he cautions people to be careful if they end up in the ditch, whether due to strong winds or other reasons, and above all encourages them to stay in their vehicles and call for help.
However, he said it’s best to play it safe if conditions are similar to last week happen again.
“When the road conditions are the way they were (on Jan. 15) and the wind conditions the way they were, I would suggest don’t travel,” Rawson said.
