At 9:20 a.m., a tractor-trailer driver attempted to make a U-turn on a gravel median two kilometres south of the Highway 72 overpass. At the same time, a 32-year-old driver of a Toyota Tundra was unable to stop when the semi truck began turning and struck the tractor-trailer.

The front end of the pick-up truck folded and the driver, a Calgary resident, was reported in stable condition and later taken to hospital for his injuries.

The 24-year-old semi truck driver, a Winnipeg man, was uninjured. Now, he is charged with careless driving, failing to maintain a logbook and failing to complete a pre-trip inspection of his rig. Speed, alcohol and road conditions are not suspected to be factors

“The sole cause of this collision was the decision on the part of the semi driver to attempt to make a U-turn on the highway,” said Sheriff Jason Graw of the Airdrie RCMP.

“Highway 2 is divided by a median and the only safe and legal way to turn around and go the other way is to exit at an overpass. The gravel crossovers between the north and southbound lanes are for emergency and maintenance vehicle use only.”

Crossing over the median is a $172 ticket under the Traffic Safety Act.