A head-on collision on Highway 28 north of Gibbons claimed the life of a well-known Edmonton criminal defence lawyer.
Morinville RCMP were called to the scene at around 2 p.m. Sunday after a truck pulling a trailer collided head-on with an SUV near the Goose Hummock Golf Course, about three kilometres north of Gibbons. Police closed the highway in both directions for more than six hours as they examined the scene.
The southbound SUV was occupied by Edmonton lawyer Sid Tarrabain, who was well-known after taking on several high-profile cases over the years, including representing the mother of Const. Leo Johnston — one of four RCMP officers killed near Mayerthorpe in 2005 — in a family legal battle over where his remains should be buried. The case reached the Supreme Court of Canada in 2008.
Cpl. Shawn French of the Morinville RCMP said Tarrabain was alone in the SUV. Several questions around the crash were still unanswered on Monday.
“At this point in time, there’s no indication that alcohol was a factor, from either vehicle, but, of course, we won’t have that confirmed until we get the medical examiner’s report for Mr. Tarrabain,” he said. “[On] speed, I can’t answer that yet because we’re waiting for an analyst’s report. That’ll usually take four or five days.”
That means police must also wait to see if any charges will be laid.
“As to who would be at fault, it’s a waiting game as far as the investigation goes,” French said, adding that an RCMP collision reconstructionist was at the scene Sunday and several eyewitnesses were interviewed.
The male driver of the pickup truck and a female passenger were transported to hospital. Their injuries were not disclosed by RCMP.
According to his biography on his law firm’s website, Tarrabain was born in Lac La Biche and earned his law degree while studying in Cardiff, Wales. He is survived by his three children and wife Sharon, who also practices law at Tarrabain & Company in downtown Edmonton.
