Police searching for semi driver after woman killed in crash north of Edmonton
A 60-year-old woman is dead after a crash near Hondo, Alta., on Sunday.
Police closed Highway 44 around 6 p.m. while they investigated the crash in the area of Highway 2 and Township Road 684.
A spokesperson for Alberta RCMP said details about what they're calling a single-vehicle crash aren't being released, but confirmed that police are also looking for a red semi truck pulling a flatbed loaded with industrial equipment that was in the area at the time.
"We're really just trying to get in touch with the driver of the vehicle to get more information with regards to what he could have seen during this event," Cpl. Matthew Howell told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.
Howell also confirmed that there were other people in the vehicle with the woman, but no other injuries were reported.
Family have identified the victim as Jill Didzena, a mother of seven who was on her way home to Bushe River in northern Alberta.
Didzena's daughter, Nichole, told CTV News Edmonton her mom, a social worker and activist, was returning from a justice forum at Saint Paul University on Sunday.
Jill Didzena, who died in a crash in Alberta on Oct. 1, 2023, at 60 years old, is seen in this undated photo. (Provided by family.)
Nichole said her younger sister was in the vehicle at the time of the crash and saw two pipes fall off a semi trailer and bounce on the road.
"My mom had swerved to save her. My little sister believes she died on impact," Nichole told CTV News Edmonton in an interview on Tuesday.
"My mother deeply loved her children so it was no surprise to me that she had swerved to save my little sister's life."
Investigators are asking anyone with information or dashcam video to contact Slave Lake RCMP at 780-849-3999 or submit information anonymously to Crime Stoppers or www.P3Tips.com.
The family has already been contacted by one driver who has dashcam footage of what appears to be a semi hauling pipe in the area around the time of the crash.
Nichole hopes the video, and any other tips that come in, lead to answers for the family.
"That load wasn't secured. Something happened there," Nichole said.
She described her mom as a matriarch who loved to be outside and celebrated her culture.
"She loved her culture and she loved her community. She was very kind and loving. She also did a lot of activism work and she did a lot of work within the community."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's David Ewasuk and Brandon Lynch
Edmonton Top Stories
-
-
-
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ school policy protest to tie up west Edmonton traffic
-
-
-
-
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Recall issued for 38,000 GM vehicles in Canada over software safety glitch
Transport Canada has issued a recall for 38,000 General Motors (GM) vehicles for safety risks related to a software glitch, the agency reported in a notice on Wednesday.
Top Hezbollah commander among 12 killed in Israeli strike on Beirut
Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander and several members of the group's elite Radwan unit in an airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday, the Israeli military and a security source in Lebanon said, sharply escalating the year-long conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group.
11-year-old boy dies after subway surfing in NYC
An 11-year-old boy died Monday after subway surfing in New York City. He's the fourth person to die from subway surfing in the city this year.
Woman nearly shut out of mother's estate sues brother in B.C. Supreme Court – and wins
Since she was a young girl growing up in Vancouver, Ginny Lam says her mom Yat Hei Law made it very clear she favoured her son William, because he was her male heir.
Canadians say they fear they've been scammed out of thousands of dollars by car moving company
An Ontario man says he’s still waiting for a vehicle he purchased on Kijiji to be delivered to his home. But after more than a month, he says he’s losing hope that the car will arrive and believes that he is a victim of a scam.
Ontario man to pay $1,500 surcharge after insurer says his SUV is at higher risk of theft
An Ontario man says it is 'unfair' to pay a $1,500 insurance surcharge because his four-year-old SUV is at a higher risk of being stolen.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Here's what we know about Israel's latest strike in Beirut
Israel’s military has struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, in a dramatic escalation in a year-long period of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
'It's disgusting': Quebec minister reacts after body of boy, 14, found near Hells Angels hideout
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
Secret Service report details communication failures preceding July assassination attempt on Trump
Communication breakdowns with local law enforcement hampered the Secret Service's performance ahead of a July assassination attempt on former U.S. president Donald Trump, according to a new report that lays out a litany of missed opportunities to stop a gunman who opened fire from an unsecured roof.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Calgary
-
'The last show': Memorial service for Calgary children's entertainer Buck Shot
It will be the last show for longtime children's TV star Ron (Buck Shot) Barge as a memorial is held Friday in Calgary.
-
Alberta Health Services declares E. coli outbreak over at central Alberta daycare
Alberta Health Services says an E. coli outbreak at a daycare in Blackfalds has ended.
-
Murder suspect wrote 'I'm sorry' in blood on cell wall to Banff, Alta., stabbing victim, court hears
Defence counsel for accused murderer John-Christopher Arrizza argues he was in an “altered state of mind” due to days of drug and alcohol use, sleep deprivation and not eating, when he fatally stabbed a man at a Banff nightclub in 2022.
Lethbridge
-
Second-degree murder charge laid after woman found dead in Oyen, Alta.
A Vulcan, Alta., man has been charged with a Lethbridge woman's murder after her body was found in the Oyen area.
-
Lethbridge couple has car stolen while waiting for an appointment
A Lethbridge couple got a good reminder as to why you should keep your vehicle doors locked at all times.
-
Lethbridge police to hold low-light shooting training exercise Wednesday and Thursday evening
Lethbridge residents who live near the police range can expect to hear plenty of shots fired Wednesday and Thursday.
Saskatoon
-
'Nothing but complete empathy': Thomas Hamp's father addresses Sanche family at murder trial
The second-degree murder trial of Thomas Hamp is being adjourned until December so an expert witness central to the trial can testify.
-
One dead and 3 hospitalized after truck and SUV collide on Sask. highway
A 69-year-old woman from Outlook, Saskatchewan is dead and three people are injured after a truck and SUV collided on Highway 15 on Thursday.
-
Sask. mother says gym teacher at private Christian school hit her 7-year-old in the head with a relay baton
A gym teacher at a private Christian school in Saskatoon has been charged. Terra MacEwan, 44, is charged with assault with a weapon. A Saskatoon mother who spoke with CTV News says her autistic son was MacEwan's victim.
Regina
-
Face of Nutrien workforce changing after 65 years of potash production in Sask.
Driving into the tunnels of Nutrien's Rocanville mine, the largest potash mine in the world by production volume, feels like driving down a lonely highway in the middle of the night.
-
Tornado in southeastern Sask. Wednesday was 3rd latest in province on record: ECCC
A tornado in Langbank, Sask. on Wednesday was the third latest in the province on record, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
-
'Nothing but complete empathy': Thomas Hamp's father addresses Sanche family at murder trial
The second-degree murder trial of Thomas Hamp is being adjourned until December so an expert witness central to the trial can testify.
Vancouver
-
Climate protesters to march through downtown Vancouver on Friday
Thousands of protesters are expected to march into downtown Vancouver on Friday, demanding more action from their government to address the growing climate crisis.
-
Canucks fan group The Larscheiders fighting for spot at Rogers Arena
Members of the only organized support group for the Vancouver Canucks are feeling slighted after losing their usual space at Rogers Arena.
-
'Adult content' viewers targeted in growing Bitcoin extortion scam, B.C. RCMP say
There have been more reports of a Bitcoin extortion scam seeking to exploit viewers of "adult content" in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, according to the RCMP.
Vancouver Island
-
'Seems very political': Greater Victoria teachers surprised by ministerial order on student safety
In a rare move, the Greater Victoria School District Board of Education has been slapped with a ministerial order from the province requiring it to update a student safety plan – drawing concern around political posturing leading up to an election.
-
B.C. First Nations declare state of emergency over opioid crisis and mental health
Getting a bed at one of British Columbia's drug detoxification facilities is like winning the lottery, the vice-president on the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council says.
-
UBCM calls for province to pay for free transit for teenagers
The Union of B.C. Municipalities is asking the provincial government to make transit free for teenagers.
Toronto
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Ontario Minister Michael Ford announces leave of absence from cabinet
Michael Ford, Ontario's minister of citizenship and multiculturalism, says he is taking a leave of absence from cabinet to prioritize his health.
-
Ford government considering restricting new bike lanes that require the removal of lanes of traffic: source
The Ford government is considering restricting Ontario municipalities from installing new bike lanes that would require the removal of lanes of traffic, a source confirms to CTV News Toronto.
-
'Worst nightmare': Toronto mom pleads for return of son who was allegedly abducted
For the last seven-and-half months, Toronto resident Heather McArthur has been living out what she describes as her 'worst nightmare.' On Feb. 7, her then three-year-old son Jacob along with his father Loc Phu 'Jay' Le departed for what was supposed to be a week-long visit to Vietnam to celebrate the Lunar New Year with family, McArthur says.
Montreal
-
Montreal couple facing deportation to Mexico granted temporary residency
The Montreal couple from Mexico and their three children facing deportation have received a temporary residence permit.
-
'It's disgusting': Quebec minister reacts after body of boy, 14, found near Hells Angels hideout
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
-
Man wins right to work in French: Quebec tribunal
A man who asserted his right to work in French has won his case before the Tribunal, invoking the new provisions of the province's French-language law (Bill 96) to that effect.
Atlantic
-
N.S. woman with painful condition seeks MAID amid battle to fund surgical treatment
A Nova Scotia woman has applied for a medically assisted death, saying after years of battling to receive out-of-country surgery for an illness that causes 'indescribable' pain, she struggles to maintain the will to live.
-
Some N.S. families can now order school lunches under new pay-what-you-can program
The families of some students who will be using Nova Scotia’s school lunch program can now order their meals online.
-
Maritime gas prices increase for first time in more than a month
Gas prices increased in all three Maritime provinces for the first time in more than a month.
Winnipeg
-
'We're still pushing hard': Search for missing Manitoba boy continues, RCMP finds tracks
The search for a missing six-year-old boy in Shamattawa is continuing Friday as RCMP hope recent tips can help lead to a happy conclusion.
-
Man charged following fire that killed married couple: Winnipeg police
The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) has made an arrest following a fire that claimed the lives of two people.
-
'They're dying up north': Possible parvovirus outbreak in Manitoba
A Winnipeg pet rescue is putting out a warning to dog owners across the city about a possible parvovirus in the province.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa Senators, National Capital Commission agree to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats
Agreement in principle has been reached to build a new NHL arena at LeBreton Flats has been reached between the Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission (NCC), the two sides announced Friday.
-
Ottawa driver safely extricated following two-vehicle collision in south end
Ottawa Fire Services says a driver has been safely extricated after being trapped following a two-vehicle collision near a high school in the city’s south end.
-
Ottawa police arson unit investigating basement fire in Little Italy
The Ottawa Police Service Arson Unit is seeking witnesses to a fire that happened early Friday morning in a two-storey commercial building in Little Italy.
Northern Ontario
-
Four dead in northern Ontario house fire
Emergency crews in northern Ontario found the bodies of four people inside a home where a fire broke out Thursday night.
-
Woman nearly shut out of mother's estate sues brother in B.C. Supreme Court – and wins
Since she was a young girl growing up in Vancouver, Ginny Lam says her mom Yat Hei Law made it very clear she favoured her son William, because he was her male heir.
-
No injuries after plane does a hard landing on Lake Temiskaming, Ont.
Two people emerged unhurt after a float plane had a hard landing late Friday morning on Lake Temiskaming.
Barrie
-
Suspect image released in connection with 'senseless destruction' of flower displays
Provincial police are investigating vandalism in Huntsville after the "senseless destruction" of flower displays along Main Street East.
-
Two Barrie men charged in connection with double homicide at Keswick park
Two men from Barrie have been charged after a deadly shooting at a park in Keswick on Wednesday.
-
Truck driver from Orillia celebrates $1 million lottery win
A truck driver from Orillia is proof that saying yes to Encore can pay off in a big way.
Kitchener
-
Hydrogen sulfide leak at Brantford high school
Levels of hydrogen sulfide gas are being monitored after a leak in Brantford Collegiate Institute’s geothermal system.
-
Recall issued for 38,000 GM vehicles in Canada over software safety glitch
Transport Canada has issued a recall for 38,000 General Motors (GM) vehicles for safety risks related to a software glitch, the agency reported in a notice on Wednesday.
-
Remembering Susan Bard, who died at 79 in hit-and-run
Guelph resident, Susan Bard, is being remembered as a vibrant community advocate and volunteer who died doing what she loved – cycling.
London
-
3 1/2 hour drive to the doctor: Could a new type of clinic in Elgin County end her commute?
The Elgin Community Health Hub, operated by the Thames Valley Family Health Team, is accepting new patients to a model where doctors are rarely seen.
-
Police keep close eye on protest and counter protest in Victoria Park
Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and supportetrs greatly outnumbered the people attending a '1 Million March 4 Children' event along Central Avenue.
-
Paramedic celebrates half a century on the job
Today, the 71 year old is marking 50 years a paramedic. He said he never aspired to move into management or a desk job, he enjoys being on the road, helping patients too much.
Windsor
-
Windsor mom charged in drowning death of her 5-year-old child
Windsor police say a 25-year-old mother has been charged with the drowning death of her 5-year-old child in the family’s backyard pool.
-
Windsor fire on scene at McDougall Street
Windsor fire is on scene at an incident on McDougall Street.
-
Fight over text leads to arrest and charges in Chatham
On Thursday, just after 9:30 a.m., a man was found and taken to police headquarters, where he was released with conditions and a future court date.
