‘It’s like a speedway’: Dewdney Ave residents react to fatal bus stop crash

Neighbours share their insights after a crash killed 19-year-old at a bus stop. Damian Smith has more.

A scene of destruction is still visible two days after a truck crash on Dewdney Avenue claimed the life of a 19-year-old woman over the weekend.

On Sunday, Oct. 12, a semi-truck driving near the intersection of Dewdney Avenue and Elphinstone Street crashed into three front lawns, a light post, and a bus shelter.

“It’s not safe for anybody sitting in there,” said Melina Bushenlonga, the owner of one of the properties that were damaged by the truck crash. “These are materials of course, someone will replace them. But the life of this girl, the life of this 19-year-old girl, it’s just heartbreaking.”

The woman was waiting in the bus shelter when the collision occurred. Bushenlonga says she was a local resident that she had brief conversations with.

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As an Air BnB owner, Bushenlonga, who’s also a former mayoral candidate, told CTV News she’s requested the city move the bus stop down the street.

“This life could be alive today if the city understood the danger of these bus shelters,” she said. “So, whose responsibility is that life now? I see the city like putting advertisements as well, on the left and right [of the shelter]. If you put the advertisement, you can only see if somebody is attacking your back.”

Other residents CTV News spoke with said the intersection should be a targeted corner and should have red light cameras installed.

“People drive down here like crazy, like it’s a speedway,” said Brett Pollard, who’s lived in the area for more than 50 years. “There’s no control, no speed limit. They drive like mad out here.”

More than 48 hours since the fatal crash, truck parts, broken deck boards, and pieces of glass still remain at the scene. Residents say they’re waiting for the city to clean up the debris.

CTV News reached out to the City of Regina for comment on Tuesday afternoon, but did not receive one before deadline.

The Regina Police Service says investigators are still looking into the incident.

“They’ve gathered a ton of evidence and they’re sifting through that evidence right now to determine, if there are or will be charges,” Acting Chief Lorilee Davies explained.

“So, I anticipate we’ll have more news in the coming days in regards to that investigation.”

The identities of the victim and the driver have not been released at this time.