A man is dead after he was struck by a truck while standing on the shoulder of Deerfoot Trail in southeast Calgary on Tuesday afternoon.
Emergency crews were called to the northbound lanes of Deerfoot Trail just south of 17 Avenue SE around 1:10 p.m. for reports of a collision.
Calgary police say a pick-up truck and trailer were parked on the right should of the northbound lanes just before the 17 Avenue exit. The driver, a 70-year-old man, was standing outside of the truck when a Dodge truck with a trailer, driven by a man in his 30s, veered into the shoulder and hit the parked vehicle and the man.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck that struck the man remained at the scene and was not hurt.
Investigators believe the Dodge was in the centre lane and went across two lanes while trying to exit off the highway at 17 Avenue SE. Police are not sure why the victim was stopped and outside their vehicle but suspect there may have been a mechanical issue.
No charges have been laid. Investigators continue to speak with witnesses and review dashcam footage.
CPS Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward is advising any motorists who break down on a major road to stay inside their vehicle and call a roadside mechanic or police.
“If we can attend, we will attend and give you some protection,” said Woodward in an update on Wednesday afternoon.
He adds that other motorists who see a parked vehicle in the shoulder should slow down and change lanes if possible.
“Especially if you see a broken down vehicle, give a wide berth,” Woodward said.
The crash closed all northbound lanes of Deerfoot Trail between Peigan Trail and 17 Avenue SE for several hours. The highway reopened just before 7 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Police say it is the eight pedestrian killed on Calgary roads in 2026.
Anyone with additional information about the crash is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or submit tips to CrimeStoppers anonymously.