One dead, four hurt in Yellowhead crash
Crash scene north of Rayleigh today. (A.M. News photo)
NEWS/ POLICE — One person is dead and four others are in hospital after two pickup trucks smashed into each other just north of Rayleigh on the Yellowhead Highway today.
The lone male occupant of a northbound pickup truck was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a black southbound pickup that crossed the center line about 2:40 p.m., police said.
At least three ambulances and numerous other emergency vehicles responded to the accident scene on the highway near the turnoff to the Tournament Capital Ranch.
The two crumpled vehicles sat near each other, a red and silver pickup just off the road and the other, black truck, blocking a northbound lane. Traffic backed up for a kilometre on either side of the scene as one of the southbound lanes was used to alternate while the other was used by police emergency vehicles.
Officers at the scene ruled out alcohol and speed as being factors in the collision, but the cause remains under investigation and will be examined by a traffic analyst.
The four occupants of the southbound pickup are being treated for injuries, one of them serious in nature and the others considered non-life threatening.
RCMP expect the alternating traffic and partial highway closure to be in effect until late this evening. Motorists are being advised to use alternate routes.
Emergency personnel work at scene of fatal crash.
Stretch of highway where fatal crash occurred today.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
While I agree with Mel in this instance, it does open the opportunity for this discussion. I have seen people run the red light at Summit & Columbia on numerous occasions ( right in front of RCMP cars waiting there ) , and nothing has been done. Once there was a very close call, and did the officer do something ? No, he lurched through the light and stopped the almost victim, presumably to see if she was alright, instead of going after the offender, whom he could have caught quite easily. And thanks for the support Lyman, I’m glad that I am not the only one that feels this way.
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Speed not a factor? At least some, form looking at the wreck!
The other factor more than likely was not paying attention. I see close calls way too many time. And the police show up to mop up. Why not showing up regularly to enforce the law?
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Enforcing the everyday laws that would prevent tragedies like this one just isn’t ” sexy ” Lyman. Things like speeding tickets, dangerous driving, distracted driving, running red lights ( before an accident happens ) just don’t get their pictures in the paper like a gun or drug seizure
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Grouchy and Lyman, there is absolutely no indication at this time as to the cause of this accident, and nothing to suggest it was preventable via enforcement. Driving infractions and enforcement are legitimate topics for discussion but linking them to this tragedy is premature, don’t you think? A person is dead and four are injured. Let’s wait and see what the accident analysis shows.
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Mel, please. Grouchy is very right, in my honest opinion. Jerks go 60/80 even 100 km/h in within the city (Columbia Street, Valleyview Drive). They go 50 km/h near Beattie school and never, never, never seen any enforcement. On the highway, transport trucks go 120 km/h and the driver is on the cell phone. Very, very, very seldom I see enforcement. Let’s have a talk about traffic law enforcement, but first, lets have the cops out there patrolling and handing out fines.
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