RCMP Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, Commanding Officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, provided a statement this morning from Roche Percéée Auditorium at Depot Division in Regina.
Assistant Commissioner Zablocki confirmed that at approximately 5:00 p.m. on April 6, the tractor trailer unit was travelling westbound on #SK Hwy 335 and the bus was travelling northbound on #SK Hwy 35, a thoroughfare, when the collision occurred. The preliminary investigation has determined that the tractor trailer unit was in the intersection at the time of the collision. Investigative efforts are dedicated to determining why the tractor trailer unit was in the intersection.
Earlier information regarding the truck driver was confirmed in that he was held in custody immediately following the accident and was released later that evening. The truck driver has remained in contact with the RCMP during the investigation.
A/C Zablocki confirmed that the engine control modules for both the bus and the semi have been recovered. Those modules will provide important pre-collision data such as speed of both vehicles, RPM of engines, and application of brakes prior to the collision. Those modules have been sent to be processed in California. As well numerous other documents and records have been collected on site such as log books.
RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstruction team has taken over 5,500 photos and are using 3D technology, and unmanned aerial vehicles to gather evidence and analyze every aspect of the scene.
The investigation is still in the evidence recovery and collection stage. No charges have been laid in relation to this collision. There is still a lot of work to be done interpreting and analyzing all of the information gathered. Complex collision reconstruction investigations take time and are often measured in weeks and months rather than days. But be assured, we are committed to providing updates as the investigation progresses.
Collision investigation and reconstruction is about determining the factor(s) that caused or contributed to a collision. Our investigators and reconstructionists examine environmental aspects such as weather, visibility, road conditions and light; the mechanical condition of the vehicles involved; and the human element such as the physical condition of the drivers, driver error, driver distraction and speed.
The RCMP is committed to determining exactly what took place on the evening of April 6, 2018 as they acknowledged they have a responsibility to the victims, their families, the community of Humboldt and all Canadians to ensure a thorough and comprehensive investigation.
Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki thanked all the first responders that attended the scene, those who have worked diligently on this investigation over the past two weeks and those who will continue to work until this investigation is concluded.
Image: Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki SK RCMP/Twitter
