A stretch of Highway 8 is now open following a fatal crash that took the life of an 18-year-old man on Tuesday afternoon.
The crash between a Ford Focus and a semi tractor trailer occurred at 5:30 p.m., the height of the afternoon rush.
The road was closed for at least six hours afterwards, reopening at just before 11:30 p.m.
Investigators say that the smaller vehicle absorbed most of the impact and the driver was instantly killed.
Police have found that alcohol and speed are not factors in the crash but are now looking at several other factors that may have attributed to it.
“Right now, it appears the primary cause of the collision is the Ford Focus being on the wrong side of the road,” says Sgt. Darrell Chapman of the Calgary Police Service.
Chapman adds that the scene is a large one, especially because the crash involves a large truck.
Witnesses report that the driver appeared distracted and was possibly texting on his phone.
“There’s been some reports from witnesses to that affect but we haven’t been able to conclusively determine that yet,” says Chapman.
The driver of the semi wasn’t hurt in the crash, but was shaken.
According to police, the roads were clear and conditions did not play into the crash.
Two years ago, 26-year-old Michael and 22-year-old Merin Melnyk died following a crash on Highway 8 after the couple’s crash swerved into the path of a truck.
Witnesses to the crash on Tuesday night are encouraged to come forward to help police piece together what happened.
