Driver involved in fatal hit-and-run identified

RCMP yet to lay charges in Sunday morning accident

Coaldale RCMP have yet to lay charges, but they said Tuesday the driver of the truck involved in a fatal hit-and-run near the Lethbridge Airport early Sunday has been identified.

RCMP said the owner of the truck, a different person, saw the media release and came forward with the driver to RCMP Monday night. The red Dodge Ram truck has now been seized by the Coaldale RCMP and will be examined.

RCMP are also still following up on a number of other leads and this remains an active investigation, they said in a news release.

Police on Sunday said that just before 5 a.m. that day, two people were walking south on Highway 5 near Township Road 82. A man was in the southbound driving lane and was struck by a truck also heading south, while a woman was not hit by the truck nor injured.

A 26 year-old-man from the Blood Reserve was pronounced dead on scene.

Coaldale RCMP assumed the investigation and received assistance from Lethbridge Police Service. An RCMP Calgary traffic reconstructionist was requested and attended the scene.

The short portion of Highway 5 between the city limits and the Lethbridge Airport was impassable for a number of hours and traffic diverted until just before noon.

RCMP say the investigation revealed the truck that struck the deceased failed to remain at the scene and a search for information began.

The name of the 31-year-old male driver will not be released at this time as no criminal charges have been laid.

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