Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
One person is deceased and two others are facing serious injuries following a collision that occurred on the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) on the afternoon of January 21, 2024. One of the drivers involved in the collision, a 71-year-old man, remains under investigation for impaired operation.
Shortly after 3:15 p.m. yesterday, Clarenville RCMP responded to a two-vehicle head-on collision on the TCH east of Arnold’s Cove involving a grey Chevrolet Equinox SUV and a white Hyundai Elantra car. A 22-year-old female passenger in the car died at the scene and the driver of that vehicle, a 22-year-old woman, sustained life-threatening injuries. The driver of the SUV was rescued from his burning vehicle by bystanders who came upon the collision. He showed signs of impairment and received serious injuries. The man was arrested and a blood demand was provided. The two drivers were transported via ambulance to Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville for urgent medical attention. Both were then transported to the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s where they remain at this time.
A Collision Reconstructionist with RCMP Traffic Services attended the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is engaged and the investigation is continuing.
Officers await the results of the blood sample to determine if charges, including impaired driving causing death, are appropriate.
Clarenville RCMP asks anyone having information or dashcam footage of events leading up to the collision to contact Clarenville RCMP at 709-466-3211 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.
RCMP NL thanks those involved in removing the man from the burning vehicle and thanks those who otherwise assisted police at the scene.