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Alcohol ‘likely’ a factor in fatal rollover: police

Police suspect alcohol as a factor in a single-vehicle rollover that claimed the life of a 20-year-old Sylvan Lake man last Friday.

Police suspect alcohol as a factor in a single-vehicle rollover that claimed the life of a 20-year-old Sylvan Lake man last Friday.

The incident occurred at around 6:40 a.m. on Highway 11 just east of Sylvan Lake. An eastbound GMC Sierra left the road, struck a guardrail and rolled onto its roof ending up partially submerged in a creek.

Bystanders who stopped found two people trapped under water in the truck, and pulled them both from the vehicle before administering first aid until help arrived.

The passenger, a 25-year-old Red Deer woman, was taken to hospital in Red Deer, and at press time remained in intensive care. The driver, a 20-year-old Sylvan Lake man, was pronounced dead on scene.

Police said alcohol and speed “likely” contributed to the crash, and were continuing to investigate with help from an RCMP collision analyst.

Sylvan Lake RCMP, the Sylvan Lake Fire Department and Associated EMS responded to the initial call, while Alberta Environment was also summoned to help deal with fluids from the vehicle that leaked into the creek.

Police aren’t releasing names at this time.