RCMP, community shocked by crash that killed off-duty Estevan Mountie

REGINA Estevan and the RCMP community at large are in shock after a member of that city ’s RCMP detachment was killed in a singlevehicle crash Tuesday night.

The same crash injured a second Mountie from that detachment who, like the officer killed, was off-duty.

“It’s a hit,” RCMP spokesman Cpl. Rob King said. “It’s a definite hit. It’s a hit to the detachment, it’s a hit to the division — resourceswise alone, let alone the emotional impact of losing a colleague.”

According to information released by the RCMP, Estevan Mounties responded at about 9:20 p.m. to the crash, which occurred approximately 1½ kilometres east of Lampman on Highway 361.

Upon arriving, officers found two of their colleagues injured.

The 55-year-old male driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 27-year-old male passenger was taken to hospital for treatment.

King said next of kin have been notified, but RCMP are not releasing the names of the members involved at this time.

There are others he said the RCMP want to notify, such as members in the division, former troop mates and others close to those involved.

“It’s someone you know, it’s a friend, it’s someone you’ve worked with, so it’s no different than any other workplace,” King said.

He said the Estevan detachment, which polices the rural area surrounding the southern Saskatchewan city, consists of 15 members “at most” — adding to the impact of the loss.

King said the RCMP are giving members at that detachment a break to cope with the tragedy, moving in other members to fill in and take on the workload.

“People are being moved in there temporarily, so there’s no impact to policing the community or anything like that,” he said. “And it gives them a chance to have the support services put in place that they may need.”

Saskatchewan RCMP’s senior management, traffic services and South District are working with employees to ensure resources are in place to support them, the RCMP said. Employee Assistance Services, peer-to-peer programs and chaplaincy services are also providing assistance.

Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig called the crash “very, very unfortunate” and said the loss will have a significant impact on the community.

“They were well-respected members and it’s just a horrific accident,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the members.”

He said he is also thinking of members of other Estevan emergency services who often work closely with RCMP officers.

“Something like this, our police department is grieving, as well as all our (emergency services), fire and all the rest,” he said.

An Estevan Police Service spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.

Ludwig said the firehall was open on Wednesday for friends and families of the members involved, allowing them to come and talk to others who know the officers.

“We’re doing what we can to help alleviate what is a horrible situation for the families involved,” he said.

RM of Estevan Reeve Terry Keating said given it’s a small community, it will hit people “big time.”

“It is sad, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

RCMP reported the preliminary investigation revealed the car was travelling eastbound, left the road and rolled. Alcohol is not considered a factor.

Collision reconstructionists are investigating the cause of the crash, and King advised that process could take months.

We’re doing what we can to help alleviate what is a horrible situation for the families involved.