An Elnora man charged following a collision on Highway 21 last week that resulted in the loss of two young lives had his court appearance adjourned until July 8.
Richard Douglas Bell, 42, has been charged with two counts of dangerous operation causing death, two counts of impaired operation causing death, impaired operation of a motor vehicle and refusal to provide a breath sample.
The charges arose after Three Hills RCMP responded to a collision on Highway 21, north of Trochu after 10 p.m. on Friday, June 17.
According to police, investigation revealed two cars were northbound on Highway 21 when the second rear-ended the first, causing it to drive across the road where it was hit by an oncoming semi-truck.
The two occupants of the first car, a 20-year-old female and a 21-year-old male, were declared deceased at the scene.
The couple who perished were identified as Macy Boyce and Ethan Halford. Their families released a joint statement through the Calgary Police.
Boyce was a two-year member of the Calgary Police Service Cadets.
“We take comfort in knowing they did not suffer, and were together at the end of their too-brief lives. We ask the public to remember their names, and consider the consequences of impaired driving. No family should have to live through this pain, grieving for all we have been denied in the hours, days, and years to come,” the statement reads.
“The families would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the RCMP, the emergency responders, and all whose names we may never know, who took care of our children that night, and for the support our friends and family offered to us since the evening of this terrible tragedy.”
