On March 28, 2025, around noon, Killam/Forestburg RCMP responded to a serious motor vehicle collision, involving two pickup trucks, at the intersection of Highway 13 and Highway 36. Upon police arrival, emergency responders from Regional Flagstaff Fire Services and Alberta Emergency Medical Services, were on scene and treating the injured occupants. Witnesses also remained on scene.

A 9-year-old girl in the white pickup truck was declared deceased on scene, and other occupants, a 9-year-old girl, a 12-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy, and their 44-year-old father, were taken to hospital with various injuries. The 73-year-old, male driver, and 73-year-old, female passenger, of the grey pickup truck remained on scene and were also assessed by medical crews with minor injuries.

Police investigation determined the grey pickup truck travelling south on Highway 36, failed to stop at the posted stop sign, and subsequently collided into the side of a white pickup truck that was heading west on Highway 13.

As a result of this investigation, on Jan. 12, 2026, charges were sworn before a Justice of the Peace, Eric Shaffer (73), a resident of Chemainus, B.C., is facing several charges, including:

• Operate a motor vehicle dangerous to the public causing death;

• Operate a motor vehicle dangerous to the public causing bodily harm x 4.

Shaffer is to appear in court on March 3, 2026, at the Alberta Court of Justice, in Killam.

Alberta RCMP would like to extend their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.