Red Deer, Alberta, RCMP are looking into a crash that took place on Tuesday at 5:01 a.m. on Highway 2A between Township Road 391 and Township Road 272 involving a reportedly stolen vehicle that resulted in one man's death.
When authorities arrived at the scene, the driver and only person in one of the cars, a Ford Focus, had died. He was a 74-year-old resident of Lacombe.
The two individuals in the other car, a Lincoln MKZ, were discovered nearby and were taken to the hospital, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Mounties say the Lincoln they were driving was reported stolen during a carjacking on March 7 in Red Deer, and they found a loaded SKS rifle in a ditch, which they believe was thrown away by the driver after the crash.
“Although early into the investigation, initial evidence indicates that the deceased was driving the Focus southbound when they crossed over the centre line into northbound traffic striking the MKZ head on. These are early reports and are subject to change,” Red Deer RCMP said in a statement Wednesday.
UPDATE: Red Deer RCMP have cleared from the scene on Highway 2A between Township Road 391 and 272 and normal traffic flow has resumed. https://t.co/ENP6OKKqCA
— RCMP Alberta (@RCMPAlberta) March 12, 2024
Tyler Tyrone Palmantier, a 44-year-old resident of Red Deer, has been accused of possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and three counts of weapons offenses.
Palmantier remains in police custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday at the Alberta court of justice in Red Deer. The passenger in the Lincoln MKZ was released without charges.
Authorities state that the investigation into this incident is still ongoing and charges could be updated.
