15 people in hospital after pair of major crashes southeast of Edmonton

The Strathcona RCMP and Sherwood Park RCMP are dealing with the aftermath of two major crashes caused in part by heavy morning fog and wildfire smoke.

Just after 6 a.m. Friday, Mounties responded to a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 14, between Highway 21 and Range Road 231.

When officers arrived on scene, they found 34 vehicles, including four semi-trucks, involved in a collision.

One person was airlifted to hospital by STARS, and another 12 were taken to hospital. The EPS confirmed two suffered life-threatening injuries.

12-car crash on Highway 21

Mounties say first responders received reports of another multi-vehicle collision on Highway 21 near Township road 520 just after 7 a.m. Friday.

When officers arrived on scene, they found 12 vehicles involved in this collision.

❗️Road closures: Road closed between Hwy 14 and 21 from Rng. Rd. 231 east to Hwy 21. Road closed on Hwy 21 from Twp Rd 520 south to Twp Rd 514. Visibility is poor. Please avoid the area until further notice. Travel with caution. @511alberta #yegtraffic #shpk #strathco pic.twitter.com/zrH1Te1BYb

— Strathcona County (@StrathcoCounty) May 12, 2023

In this case, two people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Other drivers were taken to the Millennium Place by a county bus.

Traffic was diverted onto Highway 14, to avoid the affected area.

At the time of both collisions, it was reported visibility was extremely limited due to fog and smoke from wildfires. Investigators believe this was the main cause of the collision.

Dave Clark was on his way to work when smoke and fog covered the highway.

“It was like out of a horror movie. I see three guys in the middle of the highway waving their arms like crazy,” he explained. “You slow down and talk to them. You can’t see anything in front of you. You couldn’t see anything into it.

“It was something else. I’ve driven a lot of roads all across Canada, and that’s probably the worst accident I’ve ever seen. It’s natural instinct. You can’t see anything so you slow down and hope the guy behind you does the same thing, but it just wasn’t there,” Clark added.

Both Highway 21 and Highway 14 have been fully reopened.

Drivers are being asked to “travel with caution.”

Anyone who may have any information is asked to contact Sherwood Park RCMP at 780-467-7749.