Reading the sad plight of this German man and the other three occupants of the vehicle along with the possibility of road rage, I can’t help but be reminded of a recent experience on the same stretch of road.
I travelled the 1A route between Calgary and Canmore about three weeks ago. It’s absolutely beautiful, the scenery, the foothills with the mountain backdrop and I can certainly understand why tourists might choose it over the TransCanada Hwy that runs more or less parallel. It’s the original “old” No 1 highway and winds around the north side of the Bow River. The section where the shooting occured that runs through the Stoney Reserve is noticeably narrower with virtually no shoulders, few passing zones, the speed limit is 80km/hr as opposed to 100km/hr with cautions to watch for pedestrians or livestock on the road. And there were pedestrians walking along the edge and therefore I was cautious, particularly around curves where the sight-line was limited.
Three or four times on this route I became aware of what appeared to be a very impatient and aggressive driver behind me, literally hugging my bumper. So very close behind our vehicle that if I had to unexpectedly slow down I feared they’d rear end it. So each time this happened I slowed at the next available place I could somewhat pull over enough to allow the vehicle to pass and indeed, they booted it onward. It seemed as if the Hwy was used as a lesser patrolled shortcut for some and those same users resented anyone slowing them down. Driving it left me with a twinge of an unsafe feeling.
But shooting someone in the head? I sure hope they catch the culprit, that’s absolutely disgusting.
