'Irreversible harm': 3 new names added to monument for victims of impaired drivers
More names were added to the Alberta Memorial Monument for Victims of Impaired Driving Crashes on Saturday, including the name of a child.
The monument, located in Spruce Grove, was unveiled in 2020. The community gathers there each year to honour the names already etched, and unfortunately, to add the names of the people killed since.
As of Saturday, there were 69 names on the monument. All of their deaths, Mothers Against Drunk Driving says, were 100 per cent preventable.
"There's no reason," said Gillian Phillips of MADD Victim Services. "It shouldn't be happening but it is, and it's two young people and a young little girl that's been added this year."
RCMP said at the event that last year, there were 221 fatal crashes resulting in 244 deaths in Alberta RCMP jurisdiction. Of those, 24 per cent involved impairment.
"Not only did these fatal collisions result in the tragic loss of life, but also irreversible harm to families and communities," RCMP Sgt. Darrin Turnbull said.
To be added to the monument, the person must have been killed in a confirmed impaired-related crash and criminal court proceedings must be finished.
Victims of other impaired crashes, including on ATV's and boats, are also eligible.
For more information, visit the MADD website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm. Florida orders evacuations
Florida's storm-battered Gulf Coast raced against a Category 5 hurricane Monday as workers sprinted to pick up heaps of appliances and other street debris left over from Helene two weeks ago and highways were clogged with people fleeing ahead of the storm.
'Selfish billionaire': Chip Wilson's mansion vandalized after political sign erected outside
Days after a political sign was erected outside Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion, the waterfront property has been vandalized with graffiti.
Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm. What does that mean?
Hurricane Milton quickly intensified to a Category 5 storm on Monday, reaching the most dangerous rank on what's known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Canadians head for higher ground as threat of Hurricane Milton nears Florida's Gulf Coast
The contents of entire homes have been kicked to the curb in one south Tampa neighbourhood. Piles of garbage bags, broken trees and waterlogged furniture serve as reminders of how unforgiving nature can be.
Two people injured in apparent road rage incident, shooting in Toronto
Two people are in hospital after they were chased and shot at in what appears to be an act of road rage before eventually flipping their car while trying to escape, police say.
Sammy Basso, longest living survivor of rare rapid-aging disease progeria, dies at 28
Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.
Senior charged after minivan set ablaze outside Vancouver City Hall
The day after a minivan was set ablaze outside Vancouver City Hall, a 78-year-old man has been criminally charged.
Canadian soldier wins compensation for cancer linked to burn pits after Veterans Affairs denied claim
A Canadian soldier who was exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits while serving in Afghanistan has been awarded full medical compensation for testicular cancer after Veterans Affairs initially denied his claim.
A Canadian woman was recently diagnosed with scurvy. Here are the factors tied to the disease
Scurvy is not just an archaic diagnosis of 18th-century seafarers and doctors should watch for possible cases, according to researchers following a recent case.