A woman died Sunday after being hit by a pipe that had detached from a truck’s load, according to a family member.
Nichole Didzena said her mother, Jill, and younger sister were driving north on Highway 44 south of Slave Lake, Alta., when they passed a red semi truck going the other direction around 4 p.m.
“Two pipes fell off and were bouncing on the road … the pipe was actually coming towards the passenger side, so my mom swerved and the pipe hit her instead,” Didzena said.
Didzena’s 19-year-old sister, who was riding in the passenger seat, said she believed their mother died on impact.
Jill Didzena had seven children and many grandchildren, her daughter said.
Supplied / Nichole Didzena
The driver of the truck didn’t stop at the scene and RCMP are looking to speak with the driver, or anyone else who witnessed or has dashcam footage of the truck or the collision.
“If anyone was in that area around that time that could have seen anything — even a bit before or a bit after — people should kind of think about if they were there, if they saw anything just to come forward,” said Cpl. Mathew Howell.
“We want to help resolve whatever questions are left on this.”
Howell added that the driver is not considered a “suspect” at this point, but police would like to talk to them to get more information about what happened.
Jill Didzena, 60, was killed Sunday when a pipe came through her windshield when she was driving near Slave Lake, Alta.
Supplied / Nichole Didzena
Jill’s family is now pleading for the driver, or anyone with more information about the truck or collision, to come forward so they can have an explanation.
“The semi truck driver kept driving, he didn’t stop,” Didzena said.
“I’m assuming that he would have known that the load wasn’t secure, first of all, and there’s no way he could have missed two big pipes flying out of his semi truck.”
Jill was taking an Indigenous masters of social work and cared deeply about her community, Didzena said.
“She did a lot of activism work and worked with the community. She just wanted the best for everyone,” she said.
Jill had seven children and a lot of grandchildren, Didzena said.
“She was a big family person … she just had a big heart.”
Jill Didzena was loving and cared about her community, her daughter said.
Supplied / Nichole Didzena
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