Sgt. Terry Best / Stettler RCMP
On Saturday, a Stettler RCMP constable and the driver of another vehicle escaped serious injuries when their vehicles collided on Highway 12 at the Highway 835 intersection in Erskine.
At about 5 p.m., Stettler RCMP were en route to assist a neighbouring detachment and while travelling west on Highway 12 encountered a line of vehicles, also heading west, near Erskine.
It’s believed the officer was overtaking the line of vehicles when he collided with the driver of a 2006 Dodge quad cab pickup in the intersection as the driver of the pickup was turning south onto Highway 835.
The police cruiser rolled several times after the collision and landed on its wheels in the south ditch.
The Dodge pickup, driven by a 26- year-old male from the Stettler area, came to a stop on Highway 12 just west of the intersection.
The officer walked away from the vehicle suffering minor injuries, despite the police cruiser being heavily damaged. The driver of the Dodge pickup was taken to Stettler hospital, where he was examined by doctors and released later in the evening with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Dodge pickup sustained significant damage to the front end and left side of the vehicle.
The Stettler officer had his emergency lights and siren activated at the time of the collision.
Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the incident.
Stettler Fire Department, Stettler Emergency Services, the RCMP Collision Reconstructionist and an RCMP officer from Wetaskiwin assisted in the investigation, which is ongoing.
Road and weather conditions were good at the time of the accident.
No charges have been laid at this time.
Police would like to thank witnesses who came to the aid of both drivers after the collision.