City employee pleads not guilty in connection with deadly crash

LETHBRIDGE –   A City of Lethbridge employee has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing death in connection with a crash involving snow-clearing equipment last winter.

On November 13th of 2015, a 72-year-old man died when his Pontiac Montana collided with the rear of a front-end loader that was being used to clear snow in the westbound lanes of Whoop-Up Drive near the University Drive exit.

Investigators determined the glare of the sun, the driving pattern of the loader, and the lack of safety equipment were contributing factors in the collision. A police news release cites warning signs and a pilot vehicle as the type of equipment not being used at the time.

After the case was sent to the Crown for review, one count of dangerous driving causing death was laid against 31 year old Scott Edward Erickson, who has elected trial by judge alone. A trial date will be set on January 13th.