The two young people killed on Canada Day in a fatal collision near Red Deer were passengers in the single-vehicle car crash that also resulted in injuries to three other people in the vehicle.
Ashleigh Smith, 16, of Springbrook and John Dolliver, 18, of Penhold, were killed in the collision that occurred 10 km east of Red Deer on Range Road 261, near where it intersects with Hwy 595. The incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Friday.
When Blackfalds RCMP and Red Deer County Fire and EMS arrived, they found the two victims deceased at the scene. The two teens had been ejected from the vehicle.
Police said two other occupants of the car were treated on scene and transported to Red Deer Regional Hospital with serious injuries. A fifth occupant was taken to the hospital and released a short time later.
Range Road 261 is gravelled and runs south from Hwy 585 and has no exit. On the north side of the Hwy 595 intersection, the road is Hwy 808 and paved.
Blackfalds RCMP Cpl. Greg Crane said Monday that the investigation into the collision is still underway and no further details are available except that the vehicle involved was a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. Police have not officially identified any of the people involved.
Smith was a Grade 11 student at Notre Dame High School in Red Deer. Dolliver had attended Lindsey Thurber Comprehensive High School.
On Saturday Notre Dame principal Rose McQuay issued a note to the school community. “It is with profound sadness that we inform you that a tragic event has impacted our Red Deer Catholic school community.” She went on to say that student Ashleigh Smith was the victim of a fatal car accident.
A Facebook page, “Remembering Ashleigh Smith (she will be forever in our hearts)” had more than 500 members by Monday.
Her funeral service is Friday at 1:30 p.m. at St. Leonard’s On The Hill Anglican Church in Red Deer. The service for John Dolliver has not been made public yet.