The police in Ponoka were a busy bunch as December showed how it can whip up some wicked road conditions.
RCMP and sheriffs with Ponoka’s Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) had to detour vehicles off of Hwy. 2 at Secondary Hwy. 611 on Dec. 4 due to a multi-vehicle collision that morning. Conditions on the highway at the time were extremely icy and no charges were laid.
A jack-knifed semi-trailer ended up parked on the inside shoulder of the southbound lanes with damage to the rear of the unit, while five smaller vehicles ended up with various states of damage.
A white Toyota sustained severe damage, ending up in the slow lane parallel to the semi unit. Immediately behind that car was a blue Cadillac with significant rear end damage followed by a white Honda with drivers’ side damage, a gray Chevrolet van with damage to the front and rear plus a red Hyundai SUV with rear end damage.
It was reported the driver of the Toyota sustained a head injury and was transported to hospital, but no information has been released on the driver’s condition.
That was followed on Dec. 8 with RCMP attending a two-vehicle collision at the corner of 52 Ave. and 53 St.
A dark coloured Jeep was going north on 53 St., but wasn’t able to negotiate turn onto 52 Ave. due to the slippery road conditions. The vehicle ended up hitting a red Chevrolet that was coming the opposite direction.
The Chevrolet driver was transported to hospital. No word on the condition of the driver or if charges are pending in this incident.
RCMP also conducted a check stop on Hwy. 2A on Dec. 7, with about 55 vehicles checked. No impaired drivers were found, but three violation tickets and three warnings were issued by officers.
Thefts
Police were notified on Dec. 6 of an abandoned vehicle a downtown parking lot. A brief investigation found the vehicle’s ignition was damaged and that it had been stolen from Edmonton.
Then on Dec. 8, police responded to a vehicle having been broken into in the Nutrisource parking lot on 49A St. Some tools, an Ipad and a phone were stolen.
If you have information on this, or any other crime, contact the Ponoka RCMP at (403) 783-4472 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You do not have to reveal your identity and if the information provided leads to an arrest, the recovery of stolen property or the seizure of illicit drugs, you could be eligible for a cash award.