On July 26th, 2019 at approximately 11:40 AM, a member of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a 4-door white Buick Century, in the area of Prince Street SE, Medicine Hat. The vehicle was driving erratically, at very low speeds, and the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, appeared not to notice the presence of police. The vehicle continued Southbound on Maple Avenue and increased speed.
The police officer discontinued the use of emergency equipment in order to reduce the potential of harm to the public. Another police vehicle in the area began to monitor the vehicle as it travelled Southbound on Allowance Avenue.
Near the intersection of Kingsway and Dunmore Road the vehicle crossed the meridian prior to the traffic lights and proceeded to drive on the wrong side of the road against traffic, and then drove in the proper lane and went up Dunmore Rd. At the intersection of 22nd St SE and Dunmore Rd the car collided with a City of Medicine Hat Handi-Transit bus. The collision pushed the bus into a Ford SUV, occupied by two adults and two children, which was on 22nd Street SE, causing minor damage to the driver’s side. All four of the SUV occupants were not physically injured.
The collision with the bus severely damaged the Buick and caused it to ignite. All of available police officers in the area, along with a few civilian bystanders, attempted to extricate the female driver from the vehicle but were unsuccessful.
Members of the Medicine Hat Fire Service attended to the scene were able to open the vehicle with specialized equipment and remove the driver.
The 58-year-old female driver of the vehicle was transported by EMS to the hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries. The driver of the transit bus received minor injuries and was transported by EMS to the hospital. Three members of the MHPS received smoke inhalation injuries for which they were all treated and released from hospital.
The MHPS Traffic Unit continues to investigate this incident. No further information will be released until the conclusion of the investigation.
NOTE: The MHPS utilized the MHPS Mobile App to notify the community about road closures resulting from this motor vehicle collision. The app is free to download and is available for both available for both Apple and Android devices.
Media Contact:
S/Sgt Ryan Thorburn
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461