Ridge Meadows RCMP are looking at impairment in a crash that sent a motorcycle driver to hospital in life-threatening condition this past weekned.
At around 1 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, police were called to a crash at the intersection of 224 Street and Lougheed Highway.
They learned that a southbound Mercedes-Benz sedan was turning left on Lougheed Highway when it struck a motorcycle travelling north.
Two ambulances with primary care paramedics, an ambulance with advanced care paramedics, an advanced care paramedic response unit and a paramedic supervisor also responded to the scene, explained paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites.
“Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to one patient [the motorcylist] who was transported to hospital in critical condition,” said Twaites.
Police said roads were closed for some time as they, along with the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service, investigated.
“Ridge Meadows RCMP’s serious crime unit has conduct of the file and the investigation is ongoing. Investigators are looking at all possible contributing factors in this incident, including possibly driver impairment,” said police.
As this is the second serious or fatal motor vehicle collision in the past week, said Ridge Meadows RCMP, which is reminding residents to take extra precaution on the roadways.
“On Friday night, our Road Safety Target Team (RSTT) removed five impaired drivers from our roadways as part of our ongoing enforcement operations,” said Ridge Meadows RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Kelly.
“That’s five impaired drivers too many, potentially putting themselves and other road users at real risk,” Kelly added.
“Our officers will continue to be out proactively enforcing road safety, and the public can expect to see more of these road checks at various locations throughout the month,” he said.
Police are asking people to adjust their driving behaviour to the current road conditions and plan for a safe ride home if the evening involves alcohol or drugs.