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Simpson man killed

RCMP investigation continues

Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Jan 12/01) - A Fort Simpson man was killed instantly when his truck collided with a semi trailer 17 kilometres from the NWT/Alberta border last Tuesday afternoon.

Hay River RCMP confirmed that Bill Kwong Der, 54 died when his 2000 Dodge truck collided with a trailer parked on the shoulder of Hwy 1.

Operators of the semi trailer were cleaning up a load that was spilled in an accident at the same location the previous evening.

The deceased's wife and only passenger, Jeannette, was taken to the H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital in Hay River and later medevaced to Stanton Regional Hospital in Yellowknif where she has since been released.

Regional Superintendent for the Department of Transportation, Art Barnes confirmed that they did have personnel at the scene during the time of the accident, but would not provide any details.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss it," Barnes said.

"Because the RCMP have it under investigation, it's their baby."

Outside of a written statement, Hay River RCMP Sgt. Larry Wright also declined comment pending further investigation.

"We're trying to determine all the factors that led to this accident," Wright said.

An employee of Robinson's Trucking Ltd., who did not want to be identified, was present at the accident scene and said he clocked the Der vehicle on radar at 105 km/h just before the truck collided with the parked trailer.