Alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in the death of a Black Diamond woman and arrest of her boyfriend following a single-vehicle rollover northwest of Turner Valley around noon on Nov. 1.
The couple was traveling southbound on 272 Street West when the Pontiac G5 they were in left the road and rolled near 386 Avenue West.
Turner Valley RCMP Cpl. Tiffany McGregor said it’s believed the car rolled at least twice and traveled a significant distance before coming to a rest on its roof.
“There’s significant damage to the whole vehicle,” she said, adding the most damage was on the passenger side.
Turner Valley RCMP and EMS personnel responded to the scene where, according to Alberta Health Services, a man was found outside the car and a woman was unconscious inside.
The 32-year-old female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene due to the extent of her injuries and the driver, who declined to be assessed by EMS personnel, was arrested by RCMP.
McGregor said the man was not injured and the couple were the only occupants in the vehicle. Both were wearing seatbelts, she said.
In addition to cautioning motorists against driving while under the influence of alcohol, McGregor also suggests they not exceed the posted speed limit.
“People need to slow down,” she said. “Things don’t happen when people are taking their time and taking extra caution. Even the rural roads there is less traffic, but collisions can happen anywhere.”
Black Diamond resident Robert McGechie, 34, has been charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death, operating a vehicle with over 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of alcohol causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.
McGechie is scheduled to appear in Turner Valley Provincial Court on Dec. 15.
The RCMP are not releasing the name of the deceased.
