The Airdrie RCMP has laid charges related to a two-vehicle collision that killed a woman on Highway 566 in April.
At 7 p.m. on April 24, the Airdrie RCMP responded to a head-on collision involving two vehicles travelling on Highway 566 between Range Road 11 and Range Road 12.
It is believed that an eastbound GMC pick-up truck crossed the centre line and struck a westbound Hyundai Elantra, driven by a 31-year-old Airdrie woman.
The driver, her four-month-old son and 28-year-old female passenger were transported to a Calgary hospital to be treated for serious injuries. The next day, the 28-year-old Calgary woman died. The RCMP will not be releasing the names of the victims involved in this incident.
The driver of the pick-up was also transported to Calgary hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Road conditions at the time of the collision were slushy and slippery and visibility was reduced due to falling snow.
Thirty-year-old Darrell James Schonekess, of Airdrie, has been charged with two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, one count of impaired driving causing death, two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, one count of dangerous driving causing death and other charges.
Schonekess is scheduled to appear in Airdrie Provincial Court on Aug. 19 to answer to the charges.
The Airdrie RCMP would like to remind residents to be vigilant in removing valuables from parked, unattended motor vehicles and to ensure that vehicles are properly secured.
“In the past three days, the Airdrie RCMP have responded to many incidents of thefts throughout the city; it appears that thieves have targeted the areas of Coopers, Stonegate, Sagewood and Fairways and Luxstone,” said Airdrie RCMP Cst. Francine Hennelly.
According to Hennelly, in the early morning hours, thieves have been travelling down residential streets, checking for unlocked vehicles, allowing for easy access.
“Once inside, the suspects are stealing loose change, electronics, wallets and other valuables,” she said.
“In some cases, if the culprits are locating an electronic garage door opener, they are using it to gain access into homes where further items are stolen. It is imperative that community members remove garage door openers from unattended vehicles or to deactivate the garage door system over night.”
In addition to the thefts, several motor vehicles have been reported stolen and have yet to be recovered.
Police are asking the public to contact them if they see any suspicious person or activity.
Police would also like to emphasize the importance of being diligent when it comes to protecting personal property.
Hennelly recommends by removing valuables from automobiles, safely locking parked vehicles and activating alarm systems.
On July 17 and 18, the Airdrie RCMP, Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) and RCMP Auxiliary Members, conducted enhanced patrols throughout the city.
In the early morning hours, police and C.O.P. discovered numerous garage doors left opened and parked vehicles left unlocked.
Homeowners were notified of the security breaches and business cards were left by RCMP Members to let citizens know of the police presence in their neighbourhoods.
“Despite efforts of the enhanced patrols, the Airdrie RCMP continued to respond to calls of thefts from automobiles,” said Airdrie RCMP Cst. Francine Hennelly.
“Police would like to remind the residents of Airdrie and area to be vigilant in removing valuables from parked, unattended motor vehicles and to ensure that unattended vehicles are properly secured.”
On July 19, the Airdrie RCMP received a complaint about a man asking local businesses to install a candy machine to raise funds for the local fire department. When asked, the suspicious man did not have any official paperwork linking him to a charity and he promptly left the business.
The man was described as being about 30 years old, Caucasian, 5’10’ and 190 pounds.
“The City of Airdrie Fire Department Assistant Chief, Chuck D’Amico and Rocky View County Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Steve Bagley confirmed that their departments were not actively fundraising through candy machines,” said Airdrie RCMP Cst. Francine Hennelly.
“A representative from the Calgary Fire Department reported that their department does not raise money in Airdrie. At this time, it is not known if the man was working on behalf of any other charity.”
Local RCMP are reminding businesses and residents to always confirm the legitimacy of any charity before contributing to ensure that authentic organizations receive the help that is intended for them.
The incident is under investigation.
Sometime in late June or early July, unknown people stole construction material from the Graham Construction bridge project, located at Township Road 261 and Highway 2.
Two hundred and eighty eight pieces of aluminum have been stolen from the project site, a value of more than $37,000.
Materials have been taken from both sides of the bridge structure.
Airdrie RCMP Cst. Francine Hennelly said tire tracks left at the site indicate that a pick-up truck was used to remove the aluminum beams.
All pieces are marked in black with the company name Graham.
If you have information on any unsolved crime, contact Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7200 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.crimestoppers.ab.ca
