Winter storm turns deadly as RCMP report fatal semi crash, 82 collisions

What began as a major storm ended in tragedy on Saskatchewan highways.

RCMP said the storm turned deadly after two semis collided near Broadview, leaving one semi driver dead, as police dealt with a surge in crashes and weather-related calls across the province.

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“Though the weather system has largely passed through this province, road conditions may still be poor,” RCMP Spokesperson Keely Grasser said. “Just because the sun’s out doesn’t mean that you can abandon those safety tips.”

Between 4 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday, Saskatchewan RCMP responded to 82 collisions and 25 other weather-related calls for service, according to a media briefing held Thursday morning.

RCMP also reported 29 weather-related calls between midnight and 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

The update follows an RCMP warning issued Dec. 17, urging people to stay off the roads as the storm moved through the province. Police said the overnight numbers showed that the condition remained dangerous even after the snowfall ended.

Grasser said officers dealt with multiple situations where drivers set out believing the conditions were safe, only to encounter severe weather further along their route.

“Sometimes people set out and think everything looks great, and then they encounter some pretty scary weather on the road and run into trouble,” Grasser said.

The Ministry of Highways said crews continue to battle ice, blowing snow, drifting, and rapidly changing conditions, particularly in central and southern Saskatchewan. Those conditions made snow clearing and ice treatment difficult even after the storm moved on.

Ministry of Highways spokesperson Dan Palmer said drivers should not rely on posted speed limits after a storm.

“Just because it says the posted speed limit of 80 or 110 kilometres an hour doesn’t mean you should travel at that speed,” Palmer said. “Drive to current road conditions.”

Palmer said Saskatchewan maintains 26,500 kilometres of highways, the largest per-capita highway network in Canada, with about 300 snowplows deployed before, during and after the storms. He said roads may be closed or marked “travel not recommended” when conditions are unsafe.

RCMP said calls for service slowed on Wednesday morning but warned road conditions remained dangerous, especially with increased travel expected ahead of the weekend and holiday season.

Police and highway officials continue to urge drivers to delay travel if possible, check the Highway Hotline before leaving and again before returning, slow down and ensure vehicles are equipped with winter gear, fuel and fully charged phones.

Winnipeg semi driver dead

While the winter storms closed several roads across the province on Wednesday, part of Highway 1 was also temporarily closed due to a collision where a 33-year-old semi driver from Winnipeg died.

This happened on Dec. 17 at around 2:25 p.m., near the intersection of Highway 1 and 201, approximately two kilometres east of Broadview.

When officers arrived on the scene, along with local EMS, it was determined that two semis collided.

“A third semi then left the roadway; investigators are determining whether it was also involved in the collision or took evasive action to avoid it,” RCMP said in a statement.

The driver of one of the semis involved in the crash was declared dead at the scene by EMS. His family has been notified.

“The driver and passenger in the other semi involved in the initial collision were taken to hospital by EMS with injuries described as non-life-threatening in nature,” RCMP said.

The driver of the third semi did not report any injuries.

Broadview RCMP continue to investigate with the help of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.