Mycampusplug
Garbage Truck Involved in Fatal Collision, Five Dead After Car Loses Control
A devastating crash in downtown Calgary has claimed the lives of five people after a garbage truck collided with a car early Tuesday morning. The collision occurred around 6:30 a.m. near Fifth Street and Eighth Avenue S.W., leaving the city reeling from the tragic loss.
According to preliminary police reports, the incident unfolded when a garbage truck struck a car traveling through the intersection. Witnesses say the truck appeared to disregard traffic rules, hitting the car with enough force to cause it to lose control. The car spun out of the intersection, ultimately crashing into a stationary object at high speed.
All five occupants of the car were pronounced dead at the scene, with emergency responders describing the wreckage as catastrophic. The victims’ identities have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
What has shocked many is the behavior of the garbage truck driver. Witnesses reported that the truck initially stopped after the collision, but the driver then fled the scene before authorities could arrive.
Surveillance footage from nearby buildings shows the truck speeding away with visible damage to its front bumper. Debris, including shards of metal and fragments of the car’s body, was scattered across the intersection.
“The fact that the driver left without rendering aid or even contacting emergency services is deeply concerning,” said Sgt. Emily Clarke of the Calgary Police Service. “This tragic loss of life could have been mitigated if the driver had stayed on the scene to provide critical information.”
Police Investigation Underway
The intersection remained closed for several hours as investigators pieced together what happened. Forensic teams examined the wreckage, taking note of tire marks, vehicle debris, and the trajectory of the car after impact.
Authorities have confirmed that neither excessive speed nor impairment appear to have been factors in the initial collision. However, the truck driver’s decision to flee the scene is now a key focus of the investigation.
“We are working with all available resources, including surveillance footage and witness statements, to identify and locate the driver of the garbage truck,” Clarke said. “This individual will face serious charges, including fleeing the scene of a fatal collision.”
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the garbage truck to come forward. They have also appealed to the driver to surrender to authorities.
The tragic incident has left Calgary residents in shock. Many have expressed outrage over the driver’s actions and grief for the victims and their families.
“This is just heartbreaking,” said one witness who works nearby. “To think that five people lost their lives in such a horrific way, and the driver didn’t even stay to help—it’s unimaginable.”
Local officials are calling for enhanced safety measures in busy intersections, particularly in areas with high pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
As the investigation continues, police are working to gather more evidence and identify the driver. They have asked members of the public who may have dashcam footage or information about a garbage truck with recent front-end damage to contact them immediately.
“This is a tragic reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on the road,” Clarke said. “We will do everything in our power to bring justice to the victims and their families.”
Anyone with information about the crash or the garbage truck’s whereabouts is urged to contact Calgary police at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
This incident marks one of the deadliest road accidents in Calgary in recent years. As the community mourns the loss of five lives, questions remain about how such a tragedy could have been prevented and what steps can be taken to ensure accountability on the roads.
