Family of northern Alberta man killed in hit-and-run calls for lower speed limit

Loved ones of the man killed in a hit-and-run collision on a northern Alberta highway last month are advocating for a reduced speed limit through the community.

Jesse Badger, a 31-year-old heavy duty mechanic and former wildfire fighter, was killed when a vehicle collided with his ATV in the early morning hours of Nov. 28 on Highway 43 on Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. The community is about 360 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. 

Alberta RCMP said a suspect semi-truck was seized in Grande Prairie in the days after the crash and they are working to identify the driver. Officers are still investigating what caused the crash.

Badger's fiancee, Miriah Bauer, said the days following Badger's death have been difficult. 

"I'm trying to be strong, but it just gets the best of me some days," said Bauer. 

"He'd always help, look out for his family, took care of me and my family … he was just the love of my life." 

Bauer told CBC News the family feels a lower speed limit along the highway could have prevented his death.

"At least [lower the speed limit] near intersections or turnoffs," she said. 

"It's hard when everyone keeps speeding by."

She said Badger was the oldest of five siblings. Badger's brother Tyler was struck and killed on the same highway last year.

"They [the driver] were coming off the highway and couldn't see him [Tyler] because the snow at the time was too high," said Bauer.

"It's been a tough year."

Bauer's mother, Marilyn Hamelin, said everyone in the community knew and appreciated Badger. 

"He was one of a kind. A hard worker. He knew what he was doing when it came to mechanics. Everyone asked him. He was always on call," she recalls. 

"Everybody knew him and everybody who knew him loved him. They understood who he was. He was funny. He was comical, I can still hear his laugh."

Hamelin said many in the community would like to see the highway speed limit through Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation be reduced from 110 km/h to 80km/h.

"[It's] crazy. Especially through a community," said Hamelin. 

"If drivers had time to brake going 80 [km/h] it might be different in a lot of cases. As fast as they are going, they can't see anything to stop in time."

Alberta Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen said in a statement that discussions on reducing the speed limit in the area were had before the highway was twinned in 1998.

He said all parties agreed on the 110 km/h speed limit at the time. To ensure residents could travel from one side to the other, additional safety measures like a service road, two pedestrian underpasses and flashing pedestrian warning signs were also put in place. 

"The safety of Alberta's highways is a top priority, and we remain committed to working with Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and other communities to address safety concerns," said Dreeshen.

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine said council will discuss the possibility of reducing the speed limit at future meetings.

He said if they decided a lower limit would be better, they can bring their concerns to the province in the hopes of reopening the topic. 

"With the recent losses, and losses we've suffered over the years, I think it's time we do put that back on the table," said Sunshine. 

"Lives have been shortened. Families have been impacted. People are concerned."