Killed off-duty in head-on crash
Const. Darryl Vandenberg
Flags are flying at half-mast outside of all city police stations today after an off-duty officer was killed in a tragic car accident.
Police believe Const. Darryl Vandenberg, 36, was driving along Hwy. 21 southeast of Edmonton when his car collided head-on with a pick up truck that had suddenly swerved into his lane around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The truck had skidded into the ditch moments before it sped back onto the highway where it crossed the centre line, striking the officer’s car, police said.
Nearby Camrose RCMP rushed to the scene and found the officer deceased inside his vehicle while the man driving the truck suffered serious injuries and had to be removed with the Jaws of Life.
The truck driver is recovering in St. Mary’s hospital in Camrose but his condition is unknown. Police are still investigating the incident and don’t believe alcohol was a contributing factor.
Vandenberg recently celebrated his one-year anniversary with the Edmonton police as a graduate of recruitment training class 108. He was stationed with the city’s southeast division where he conducted street patrols.
He leaves behind a wife, two sons and a young daughter.
His father-in-law told Metro yesterday that the family is taking the sudden loss very hard and aren’t sure if they’ll ever be able to speak publicly about it.
“We’re really struggling with this,” he said over the phone from his Camrose home, where Vandenberg had grown up.
“The EPS family is truly saddened by the loss of such a fine officer,” deputy chief Norm Lipinski said in a media release. “Members will continue to work with the Vandenberg family to support them through this difficult time.”
Police Chief Mike Boyd has also visited the victim’s family and a memorial service is expected at a later date, said police spokesman Jeff Wuite.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Camrose RCMP at 780-672-3342.
