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Olds fatal investigation wrapped up

Police have wrapped up the investigation into a fatal collision near Olds last month.

Police have wrapped up the investigation into a fatal collision near Olds last month.

The head-on collision between a minivan and SUV on Hwy 27 just east of the town on Jan. 6 killed a 56-year-old woman and two young Red Deer area labourers, one 19, the other 20.

Donna Mills of Olds was one of the victims and family members later identified Damian Pannenbecker, 19, of Red Deer as another.

Four others in the van were also injured, three of them critically.

Olds RCMP said the SUV was westbound on the highway, a rural, undivided two-lane stretch of road. The van was heading east, towards Range Road 12, when the two collided.

Police said early indications suggested the van veered into the westbound lane but revealed on Tuesday that those indications “have not been conclusively verified” by the investigation.

“Despite an extensive investigation, the direct causes are not known. Several factors may have contributed, however without direct evidence it would be speculation to suggest any one or combination of them were involved,” stated a news release.