Man charged after 2 die in rear-end crash

A 23-year-old man has been charged with two offences, including impaired driving, following the deaths early Sunday of the driver and passenger of a car that was rear-ended near the Calgary airport.

The 1995 Dodge Avenger was stopped at a red light on McKnight Boulevard at Deerfoot Trail at about 1:40 a.m. MT when a westbound Lexus GS300 slammed into it from behind "at a high rate of speed," Calgary police said in a news release.

Police said the impact propelled the Dodge forward more than 50 metres.

The driver of the Dodge, a 27-year-old man, died at the scene. His passenger, a 24-year-old woman, subsequently died in hospital.

The passenger in the Lexus, a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while the 23-year-old driver emerged unscathed from the crash and was arrested at the crash location, police said.

He has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and impaired driving causing death.

The police release said alcohol and speed played a role in the crash.