One dead after two-vehicle crash on Highway 53

PONOKA -- One person has died following a two-vehicle collision on Highway 53.

According to RCMP, the fatal crash occurred just after 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, near Range Road 270. It's reported by police that a Toyota Echo collided head-on with a Volkswagen Jetta. Corporal Troy Savinkoff says that a 59-year-old Ponoka County resident -- who was the driver of the Toyota -- was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"Once we were there, we located the driver of one of the vehicles, which was the Toyota Echo, and that driver was unfortunately found deceased on scene," said Cpl. Savinkoff. "The driver of the other vehicle, which was a Volkswagen Jetta, was taken to hospital with minor injuries." 

Cpl. Savinkoff says an RCMP traffic analyst attended the scene of the crash, and that while the investigation is still ongoing, the cause of the collision has yet to be determined. 

"We do know that one of the vehicles drove into oncoming traffic, and we're still investigating to see if that was weather-related or not, " said Cpl. Savinkoff. "At this time, we're not entirely sure as it's still under investigation."

RCMP are urging drivers to use extra caution on Alberta roads after a sharp increase in fatal collisions during December and early January. Preliminary data shows twenty fatal collisions occurred across K Division in December; above the ten-year average of 16.7.

Alberta RCMP send their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.