16 people hospitalized after smoky, foggy early morning crashes east of Edmonton

More than a dozen vehicles were involved in each of the pileups wildfire smoke and fog caused in Strathcona County early Friday morning.

In total, 16 adults between the two scenes were hospitalized, according to Alberta Health Services and RCMP.

More than a dozen vehicles were involved in a pileup on the westbound lanes of Highway 14, west of the Highway 21 intersection in Strathcona County on May 12, 2023. Smoke and fog greatly reduced visibility in the area that morning, officials said.

Both crashes happened near the Highway 21 and Highway 14 intersection around 6 a.m.

Within the hour, the area was closed to traffic.

"Visibility in the area is extremely poor due to heavy smoke from the wildfires combined with moisture in the air," Mounties said in a 6:45 a.m. advisory.

"Motorists are advised to avoid the area and travel is not recommended at this time."

Smoke and fog causing poor visibility were considered a factor in crashes near Highway 21 and Highway 14 in Strathcona County on May 12, 2023.

HIGHWAY 14

The bigger crash involved 34 vehicles, including four semis, on the westbound lanes of Highway 14, west of the Highway 21 intersection.

In total, 14 people were hurt in that pileup.

More than a dozen vehicles were involved in a pileup on the westbound lanes of Highway 14, west of the Highway 21 intersection in Strathcona County on May 12, 2023. Smoke and fog greatly reduced visibility in the area that morning, officials said.

Two women were hospitalized in critical condition. One of the women, in her 30s, was flown by STARS Air Ambulance from the scene to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.

Twelve others – seven men and five women – were taken to hospital in stable condition in ambulances.

"I took a picture through the windshield right after it happened, and you can barely see the front of the truck," one uninjured commuter, Kevin Gillespie, recalled. He was in a pickup near the front of the pileup.

A total of 34 vehicles were involved in a pileup on the westbound lanes of Highway 14, west of the Highway 21 intersection in Strathcona County, around 6 a.m. on May 12, 2023. RCMP said wildfire smoke and fog were to blame. (Credit: Kevin Gillespie and Chester Mooney)

"We stayed in the vehicle. It was scary because we could hear crashes behind us over and over again, so we didn't want to leave the vehicle."

"Pretty stressful way to actually start out a Friday. But, luckily we were able to walk out of it," Chester Mooney, who was with Gillespie, told CTV News Edmonton.

A total of 34 vehicles were involved in a pileup on the westbound lanes of Highway 14, west of the Highway 21 intersection in Strathcona County, around 6 a.m. on May 12, 2023. RCMP said wildfire smoke and fog were to blame. (Credit: Kevin Gillespie and Chester Mooney)

At 11:30 a.m., crews were still removing vehicles from the scene.

Highway 14 reopened at 1 p.m.

HIGHWAY 21

At the second crash scene, on Highway 21 at Township Road 520, just north of the intersection, 12 vehicles crashed into each other, Mounties say.

Twelve vehicles were involved in a pileup on Highway 21 near Township Road 520 on May 12, 2023.

Two drivers were hospitalized.

Anyone who wasn't hurt in either of the crashes was bused to Millennium Place.

Highway 21 was open in both directions by 11:30 a.m.