Calgary police probe speed, alcohol and drugs in fatal Deerfoot Trail crash

Calgary police are investigating whether speed, alcohol or drugs played a role in a deadly crash on Deerfoot Trail over the weekend that claimed the life of a man in his 50s.

Investigators say the man was driving a Nissan Altima southbound on Deerfoot Trail, approaching Glenmore Trail, when the vehicle struck a construction barrier. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the impact was severe enough that the car’s engine was ejected and landed in an adjacent lane of traffic. Shortly afterward, a second vehicle, a Toyota, struck the engine. The driver of that vehicle was taken to hospital with what police described as minor injuries.

The collision temporarily disrupted traffic in one of Calgary’s busiest corridors, an area that has ongoing construction and reduced lane capacity. Police are reminding drivers to slow down and remain alert when travelling through construction zones, where conditions can change quickly.

The investigation is ongoing, and officers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident to contact Calgary police.