Alcohol and speed are suspected factors in a head-on crash that killed a 38-year-old woman in the city’s southwest early Sunday.
Calgary police say a 2001 Ford F150 pickup truck was heading north on Sarcee Trail S.W. approaching Bow Trail S.W. in the left-hand lane.
A 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63AMG sedan was heading west on Bow Trail S.W. heading toward Sarcee Trail S.W. in the middle lane when it T-boned the Ford on the passenger side in the intersection at around 3:15 a.m.
The pickup truck spun toward the northwest and struck a large power pole about 60 metres from the crash. Both occupants were ejected.
The 38-year-old female passenger of the pickup was killed instantly.
The 50-year-old male driver of the pickup was taken to Foothills Hospital in serious but non-life threatening condition.
The Mercedes spun toward the northwest and ended up on a grass boulevard about 70 metres from the crash site.
The 27-year-old male driver of the Mercedes sustained minor injuries. He appeared to be intoxicated and was arrested at the scene, said police.
Speed is also considered a factor, said police.
Ramandeep Singh Jaswal, 27, of Calgary has been charged with impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm and refusing to provide a breath sample.
He will make his first court appearance on Tuesday.
EMS spokesman Adam Loria said a person who witnessed the crash “and was a little shaken up” was also taken to hospital for precautionary reasons.
The intersection and several nearby roads were closed until Sunday afternoon.
No names have been released.