MARSHALL — A 63-year-old driver who was the lone occupant of the half ton truck is deceased after four vehicles collided during a zero visibility event caused by a controlled burn.
RCMP say Wednesday at approximately 5:30 a.m., Maidstone RCMP received the report of smoke from a controlled burn causing a traffic hazard on Highway 16 near Marshall.
Shortly after receiving the initial call, officers received a second call, which was a report of a multiple motor-vehicle collision in the area of the controlled burn on Highway 16.
The smoke was very thick in the air leaving zero visibility on the roads.
Upon arrival, officers located a collision involving four vehicles: three semis and a half-ton truck, which had all been travelling westbound on Highway 16.
As a result of this collision, a 63-year-old driver who was the lone occupant of the half ton truck, was declared deceased on scene by EMS. His next of kin have been notified with the assistance from Victim Services. An autopsy has been ordered to take place by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service.
One of the occupants of the semi was transported to hospital by EMS to receive medical assistance and was released.
Investigative units and emergency responders who attended include: an RCMP Collision Reconstructionist, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, Maidstone EMS, the Provincial Response Team (PRT), and Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM). Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, Lloydminster RCMP and Wilton Police Service also assisted with re-routing traffic and maintaining safety on the roads.
The highway was closed in both directions for approximately 12 hours and reopened in the evening.
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