Tow truck driver killed in fiery crash on Trans-Canada Highway near Strathmore, Alta.
'The tow truck just came up and rear-ended the back of the semi truck at highway speeds'
Police say a tow truck driver was killed early Tuesday morning when he slammed into the back of a moving semi on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Strathmore, Alta., setting both vehicles on fire.
"The tow truck did end up almost underneath the semi truck and, as a result of the collision, it was engulfed in flames," RCMP Cpl. Jay Salmon said.
"It engulfed almost the entire tow truck and some of the goods and whatnot in the back of the semi."
The collision happened around 4 a.m., about 15 kilometres east of Strathmore, in the highway's westbound lanes.
Salmon said the tow truck driver was a resident of Wheatland County and about 45 years old.
Both vehicles in motion
The highway was closed to westbound traffic while police investigated. Occupational health and safety officers were also involved in the investigation.
Salmon said both vehicles were in motion when the collision happened.
"We've spoken with the driver of the semi truck. He was in motion and the vehicle wasn't slowing down or stopping or anything like that," Salmon said.
"It appears that the tow truck just came up and rear-ended the back of the semi truck at highway speeds."
Strathmore is about 50 kilometres east of Calgary.
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