A Facebook memorial page is paying tribute to two people who lost their lives in a crash over the weekend.
The page identifies the victims as Brad and Krista Howe. A friend of the couple says the Howe's leave behind five children, who are between the ages of three and 14.
"We have a tragedy, two great people have lost their lives and five children have been left without a mom and dad," said Brad's friend and colleague Johnnie Bachusky.
Police have now charged 22-year-old Chad Olsen in connection with the Sunday morning crash.
Police say that alcohol was a factor in the crash that happened in south Red Deer at around 2 a.m. near the intersection of Ironstone Drive and 30th Avenue.
RCMP say Olsen's southbound pickup truck hit the couple's Chrysler Neon, severely impacting the drivers' side of the vehicle. Police revealed the two victims were both wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision. The couple was pronounced dead on scene.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) calls the incident "beyond tragic".
"Anybody that is tucking their kids into bed tonight and realizing that those kids at home are never going to have that from their parents again...and it was senseless and for what reason?" said Gillian Phillips, president of MADD Canada's Edmonton and area chapter.
Olsen, of Sedalia, Alta., about 150 kilometres northeast of Brooks, has been charged with two counts of impaired driving causing death, two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and two counts of operating a motor vehicle with blood alcohol over .08 causing death.
Police have not officially released the names of the couple. Friends tell CTV News the couple was originally from Saskatchewan, but had been in Alberta for several years.
Olsen made his first court appearance in Red Deer Provincial Court Monday morning. He is expected to re-appear in court on Friday.
With files from Sonia Sunger
