RCMP officer hospitalized after collision with semi-truck north of Westlock

An RCMP officer was taken to hospital following a collision with a semi-truck Monday afternoon just north of Westlock, forcing the complete closure of Highway 44 in both directions. Cpl. Matthew Howell, a public information officer with the Alberta

An RCMP officer was taken to the hospital following a collision with a semi-truck Monday afternoon just north of Westlock. Highway 44 was closed in both directions while emergency crews responded to the scene. Cpl.

Matthew Howell, a public information officer with the Alberta RCMP, said dispatch received a call at approximately 12:31 p.m. regarding a crash involving a semi-truck and an RCMP vehicle. According to the provincial navigation service 511 Alberta, all lanes are blocked between Township Road 612 and Highway 661. Emergency Medical Services (EMS), fire crews, and RCMP officers were dispatched to the scene.

An on-site detour has been established, but authorities are advising drivers to use alternate routes and expect significant traffic delays in the area. The highway closure was first reported just before 1 p.m. Monday. The officer, who was the only driver of the police vehicle, was able to exit the cruiser and speak with RCMP dispatch before being transported to the hospital.

Howell described the transport as mostly preventative, noting the officer's injuries were non-life-threatening. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured in the collision. A crime scene analyst has been dispatched to the scene to evaluate the crash.

Howell noted that the RCMP always deploys an analyst to investigate collisions involving police vehicles, adding that the investigation is ongoing and it will take some time before a final report is completed.