Police reminding motorists to be responsible on New Year's Eve

Both the RCMP and Calgary Police are reminding everyone to not drive impaired on New Year's Eve.

"As we say goodbye to 2022, please remember to celebrate New Year’s Eve safely. If you choose to drink alcohol or use drugs tonight, please ensure you have a safe ride home. Be responsible, don’t drive impaired," a social media post from CPS stated.

RMCP echoed the sentiment.

It’s not a party without you, so save the celebratory drinks for when you arrive. #DontDrinkAndDrive #NYE pic.twitter.com/leajsBtRJJ

— RCMP Alberta (@RCMPAlberta) December 31, 2022

Calgary police are continuing to investigate at least two instances of impaired driving that occurred in December. According to police, at approximately 9:50 p.m., on Monday, December. 26, 2022, a collision occurred between a stationary vehicle and a vehicle travelling on Deerfoot Trail.

"At that time, it is believed a 59-year-old man was driving a Ford Ranger pickup truck northbound on Deerfoot Trail towards the Calf Robe Bridge.  At the same time, a Ford Edge, occupied by a 70-year-old man, was stationary on the right-side emergency shoulder," police stated.

The Ford Ranger wandered from the travel lanes into the shoulder, where it struck the rear driver side of the Ford Edge. The impact forced the Edge off the asphalt and onto a snow-covered median. It travelled down a shallow embankment for approximately 20 metres before coming to rest.

The Ford Ranger also exited the asphalt and drove onto the snow-covered median. It travelled approximately 70 metres before coming to a rest.

The driver of the Ford Edge was trapped in his vehicle and was extricated by the Calgary Fire Department. He suffered serious injuries and was transported to the hospital in serious, but stable condition. The driver of the Ford Ranger suffered minor injuries and was arrested on the scene for refusing to provide a breath sample.

Alcohol appears to be a factor in the Boxing Day collision.

Earlier in the month, on December 2, police responded to reports in the early morning of a serious two-vehicle collision that occurred in the southbound lanes of Deerfoot Trail near 32 Avenue N.E. 

"Upon arrival, we located a severely damaged car and a 2009 Ford F-150 pickup truck with significant front-end damage. Moments later, we discovered a lone occupant in the driver’s seat of the car, who was subsequently declared deceased at the scene. The driver of the Ford F-150 truck was located in the vehicle and determined to have sustained minor injuries," a police news release stated.

The victim had been identified, however, details pertaining to the victim’s identity and the vehicle were not released at the time.

The driver in the December 2 collision has also since been identified as 29-year-old Tyson Tyler Giroux, of Red Deer. Giroux was arrested at the scene and later charged with impaired driving and other charges. He appeared in Calgary Provincial Court court on December 20, 2022. 

Several days after the fatal Deerfoot crash, on Thursday, December 8, 15 police officers from Calgary Police Service, the Alberta Sheriffs, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Alberta, the Tosguna Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service and the CP Police, hosted a large-scale Checkstop in Airdrie.

Seven impaired drivers were taken off the roads due to Immediate Roadside Sanctions.

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