Impaired driving charges laid in fatal southern Alberta crash that left girl, 13, dead: RCMP

An RCMP vehicle can be seen in this file photo. (CTV News)

A Lethbridge man is facing impaired driving charges stemming from a fatal crash near Coalhurst, Alta., in August that left a 13-year-old girl dead and several others injured.

Mark Briggs, 34, has been charged with 15 criminal code offences related to the crash on Highway 3, at the interchange of Highway 3A, at 12:05 a.m. on Aug. 21, 2024.

When emergency crews arrived on the scene of the crash, they found what appeared to be a head-on collision with one vehicle engulfed in flames.

One driver, a man from Lethbridge, received non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital. Police said his seven-year-old son was taken to hospital in Calgary with critical injuries.

The second vehicle was transporting a woman and three children. The woman also received non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.

The children, aged 17, 16 and 13, were taken to hospital in Calgary. The 13-year-old died after succumbing to her injuries on Aug. 22.

After five months of investigation, RCMP announced Briggs’ charges on Wednesday.

His charges include operating a motor vehicle while impaired causing death, dangerous driving causing death, and four counts each of operating a motor vehicle while impaired causing bodily harm and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

He was released from custody with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court in Lethbridge on Feb. 10.

Coalhurst is located approximately 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary.