A Westlock man is dead following a truck versus pedestrian collision on Highway 18 east of town last Monday.
Robert Keats, 18, was killed when he was struck by a westbound minivan at around 4:20 p.m. on Sept. 3 near Range Road 261. Westlock RCMP Staff Sgt. Bryan Clayton said Keats had been crossing the highway when he was struck.
“It’s certainly a tragic accident, and a lot of people are upset about it, as is expected,” he said.
Clayton said Keats had been driven to the intersection by some friends, with the intention of walking to another friend’s house nearby.
The vehicle Keats was in parked on the north side of the road, and he got out through the back door. He immediately ran south across the highway and was struck by the westbound minivan, say police.
Keats was pronounced dead at the scene.
The minivan’s 29-year-old driver was not injured.
Clayton said road and weather conditions are not a factor in the collision, nor was alcohol involved.
Given the time of day, the sun would not have been low enough to affect the minivan’s driver’s vision. He added it does not appear there were any driving infractions and charges are not being considered.
Clayton also said there is no indication Keats saw the minivan before he was struck.
In light of the tragic event, Clayton said it’s important people are careful when they’re walking along or across the highway.
“You have to be extra cautious when you’re crossing a highway or any other road,” he said. “I’ve been on the highways myself lots and lots of times in my career and it’s very hard when you see a vehicle coming and it looks like it’s a quarter-mile away and you just don’t realize how fast it takes for it to cover that quarter mile.”
Keats had just graduated from R.F. Staples School this past June, and as such the news of his passing spread before and during the first day of school on Sept. 4.
Principal Pierre Ouimet said staff were aware of what happened before the day started and informed the students in an assembly.
“We did observe it and make mention of it at our school-wide assembly on (Sept. 4),” he said. “It was a tough thing to do, but it was the right thing to do.”
Ouimet added that since Keats had graduated just over two months ago, there are still students at the school who remember him and who may find coping a challenge.
In order to help them and other students, he contacted the division office for assistance with grief counselling, and asked teachers to keep an eye and ear open for students who may need help.
Ouimet said given the circumstances, he felt everyone managed to survive the initial shock.
“Tuesday came and went and I think we got through it quite well,” he said.
A memorial service for Keats was held Sept. 8 in Westlock.
He was remembered by family as a happy young man who was always smiling and never in a bad mood.
Keats had just returned to Westlock after moving to Newfoundland two months ago, as he missed his friends and life in Alberta.
