Logging truck mechanical failure kills mother and twin daughters near Cranbrook
Courtney Johnson was driving her eight year old twins, Taylor and Hailey, to school headed east towards Cranbrook on Highway 3 on the morning of Thursday, June 1.
A third vehicle took evasive maneuvers and went off the highway.
Police responded, but Johnson and her two daughters were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the logging truck was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Authorities are investigating the accident and are looking into every possibility.
“We have to do a thorough and complete investigation. We owe it to all the families of all those involved to do a complete and thorough investigation and investigate all avenues,” said Mike Moore with BC Highway Patrol.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Cranbrook and the surrounding area.
Almost immediately community members have been doing what they can to support Courtney, Taylor and Hailey’s family.
“All of a sudden we're getting more flowers than you can shake a stick at, and meat trays and people showing up at the house which was fantastic,” said James Hayward, uncle to Taylor and Hailey.
A Go Fund Me Page has been created in the hopes of creating a legacy fund for Taylor and Hailey which would be used to give back to the community in times of need.
Despite a fundraising goal of $10,000, donations have exceeded over $55,000 in just two days.
Hayward said “we agreed that if people want to help out the Go Fund Me would be the best way to share the legacy right. Like the girls had a huge impact.”
The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. Police are asking anyone who witnessed or has dash cam footage of the crash to contact them.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.4972530.1591455178!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Prince William made $42 million from his newly inherited estate last year, reports show
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'Sick to my stomach': People grieve Jasper National Park by sharing favourite photos
As an out-of-control wildfire roared through Alberta’s famed Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday, many are fearing the worst as officials warned of 'significant loss' within the area.
LIVE @ 11 A.M. MT Extent of Jasper wildfire damage still unknown; Alberta Wildfire hosting update
Officials are waiting to learn Thursday morning the extent of wildfire damage in the Jasper townsite of Jasper National Park, which flames began to eat away at the night before.
Canadian women's soccer team staffer given suspended prison sentence over drone incident, prosecutor says
A Canada women's soccer team staffer has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence after flying a drone to film the closed-door training session of the New Zealand team on Monday, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government
The current official residence for Canada's representative in New York City is 'being readied for sale,' according to a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada.
Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.