Sheriff among two killed in Highway Three MVC

By Jamie Rieger
One of the motorists killed in a motor vehicle collision on Saturday morning has been identified as Chris Gerbrandt, an officer with Alberta Sheriffs department.
Gerbrandt, who was traveling west on Highway Three when a 2005 Pontiac crossed the centre line and into oncoming traffic, hitting Gerbrandt’s truck head on, instantly killing him and the 18-year old female driver of the Pontiac.
Gerbrandt’s youngest son and wife were taken to Calgary’s Foothills Hospital with serious non-life-threatening injuries.
The collision occurred at 7:30 a.m. On Saturday morning, approximately five miles east of Grassy Lake.
According to a statement issued by the RCMP, the preliminary investigation shows that an east bound 2005 Pontiac car crossed the center line a struck an oncoming Chevrolet pickup truck.
The investigation in ongoing but alcohol has been ruled out. Speed and
distracted driving are being looked at as causal factors.
“Speed was definitely a factor and cell phones found at the scene are being investigated,” said Cst. Kirk Fisler of the Bow Island RCMP.
Saturday’s fatalities are the latest of several that have occurred along Highway Three in recent weeks.
“Highway Three is one of the most dangerous highways I have seen, comparable to Highway 63 in the north,” said Fisler.
Municipalities along the highway have been pushing for years to have the highway twinned.