Names & Details Released in Fatal Collison by Valemont

Photo: Shows the scene of the accident – Submitted

Police investigators are now able to provide an update on the dynamics of a six (6) vehicle collision, which occurred on Highway #16, near Valemount on July 28, 2008.

It has now been established that a 2007 Toyota Echo from New Brunswick was travelling westbound on Highway #16, approximately one kilometre east of the Tete Jaune weigh scales, when it crossed the centre line into the path of a westbound 1999 Kenworth tractor trailer unit from Alberta. It has been confirmed the vehicles collided in the eastbound lane. The collision damaged the steering of the transport truck, sending it off into a rest area where it collided with four (4) parked vehicles. The commercial transport first collided with a 2002 Suzuki motorcycle from Manitoba, knocking it into a pedestrian. The motorcycle was then forced into a 1993 Honda Civic from Alberta, also parked in the rest area. The Kenworth tractor trailer unit then collided with a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer, from Saskatchewan, which was subsequently collided with a second motorcycle, a 1997 Honda, from Manitoba.

The only injured person in the rest area was the pedestrian struck by the motorcycle when it was struck by the truck. Jeff Anderson (32 years), of St. Albert, Alberta, sustained a fractured leg and was transported to the Royal Alexander Hospital in Edmonton for treatment.

The driver of the Toyota Echo, Shirley MOWBRAY (53 years) of Kilburn, New Brunswick died in the collision. The driver’s daughter and right front passenger, Tracey Lee MOWBRAY (31 years) of Kilburn, New Brunswick and her daughter Katie McCULLOUGH (8 years) also died in the collision. Allie Rosaleen McCULLOUGH (5 years) sustained serious internal injuries in the collision and was transported to the Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, where she remains in stable condition.

The 29 year old driver of the Kenworth tractor trailer unit, from Surrey, B.C., sustained minor injuries in the collision, was treated and released. The two passengers in the commercial unit sustained no injuries.

The investigation revealed that the weather conditions at the time of the collision provided for sunny dry conditions, with a partial overcast.

The investigation continues in to the cause of the collision and what contributed to the Toyota Echo entering the eastbound lane. Mechanical examinations and collision examinations will continue today in an effort to establish what exactly occurred. B.C. Coroners Service and the police continue to investigate.

Investigation has revealed that there were witnesses to the actual collision who have not yet spoken to police. Investigators are asking that any witnesses to the collision contact the Valemount RCMP at Tel# (250) 566-4466 or your local police detachment.