Police conclude alcohol also factor in Fredericton triple-fatality crash

Fredericton's new chief of police, Gary Forward, says police will continue to encouragemotorists to follow the rules of the road in the aftermath of a May crash that killed three people, including two students from Leo Hayes High School.

The accident reconstruction report revealed alcohol and speedwere significant factors, according to a recent news release from police.

"The vehicle's speed at the time of the accident was determined to be between 138 km/hand 174 km/h," the release said.

"Unfortunately, none of the occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident, however, the survivors are doing well."

The May 5 crash on Douglas Avenue, on Fredericton's north side, resulted in the deaths of a 14-year old girl, a 17-year old boy and a 22-year-old man, police said.

A 15-year-old boy was critically injured, and a 14-year-old girl was treated for minor injuries.

The release said the investigation continues and police are still trying to determine who was drivingthe vehicle.

Forward, in an interview onInformation Morning Fredericton,once again gave his condolences to the family and the community.

"Any time a tragedy like this occurs, I mean, it obviously impacts all of us," he said.

"When you hear speeds in that regard, and especially connected to youth, complicating factors like impaired driving and certainly there were no use of seatbelts, this is obviously what police continue to do to the best of their ability encourage, warn community motorists to be able to follow the statutes ... so that we can avoid these types of things."

Forward also said traffic-calming measures, such as the speed cushions installed on Douglas Avenue after the crash, are helping.

"I get that sometimes they can prove to be an inconvenience. But I think importantly, we as a community have to seriously ask ourselves, you know, what is more important to us?"

He said the benefits of traffic-slowing measures in that area where the crash occurred are already evident.

Forward began his role aschief on Sept. 9, taking over from Martin Gaudet, who retired.