Skip to content

Banff woman dies in car crash

BANFF – A 28-year-old woman from Banff died and five others were sent to hospital after a four-vehicle collision on Thursday (Dec. 27) near Oyen, Alta, located approximately 300 kilometres east of Calgary.
Clara Mentzelopoulos
Clara Mentzelopoulos died in a multi-vehicle car accident near Oyen, Alta, on Dec. 27.

BANFF – A 28-year-old woman from Banff died and five others were sent to hospital after a four-vehicle collision on Thursday (Dec. 27) near Oyen, Alta, located approximately 300 kilometres east of Calgary.

Friends identified her on social media as Clara Mentzelopoulos.

"I'm speechless," wrote Kasey Suchowersky.  "R.I.P Clara Mentzelopoulos. I went to school with her in Banff. I didn't know her super well, but she was an awesome girl. Really kind. Friendly. Music lover."

According to police, the car crash happened around 11:25 a.m. on Highway 9 near Range Road 60.

The initial investigation revealed that an eastbound truck crossed the centre line into the path of a westbound car on Highway 9. Two other westbound cars then collided sending one of the westbound cars into the ditch. Police said conditions at the time of the collision were very icy and foggy.

Police said Mentzelopoulos died at the scene while the male and female passengers of the eastbound truck were transported to hospital by EMS with serious injuries. Two other females and one male from the other two cars were transported to hospital by police with minor injuries and later released.

RCMP members from Oyen and Hanna detachments, along with a RCMP collision analyst attended the scene, and the matter remains under investigation.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased during this difficult time," wrote the RCMP in a press release.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks