An autopsy on the driver of a truck involved in a head-on crash on the highway near Bowden has determined that drugs and alcohol played a role in the fatal collision.

Emergency crews were called to a crash between two pickups on Highway 587 about a kilometre west of Highway 2 at about 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 19th.

A Ford F150 was travelling westbound on the roadway when it crossed into the oncoming lane and into the path of an eastbound Dodge Ram.

The driver of the Ram tried to avoid the F150 and the two trucks crashed in the westbound lanes, sending one of the trucks into the ditch.

The drivers of both trucks were transported to hospital in Calgary and Edmonton in life threatening condition and four others were taken to hospitals in Red Deer and Calgary.

The driver of the F150 died from their injuries and the police investigation determined that they were at fault for the crash. An autopsy on the driver conducted by the Calgary Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that drugs and alcohol were factors in the collision.

Police were considering charges but say the driver’s death means no charges will be laid.

The driver of the Ram and two passengers in the truck are still recovering from their injuries.

A passenger in the F150 was also taken to hospital and has since been released.