A memorial sign honouring an Alberta mother and daughter killed in an impaired-driving crash was installed on Highway 11 near Dundurn on Friday. On Oct. 19, 2024, Laura and Jamie Hannah of Darwell, Alta., were on their way to a funeral in Moose Jaw when their vehicle was hit by a truck travelling on the wrong side of the road. Reanne Hannah said it was around midnight when RCMP officers arrived at her door with the news that her mother and sister had died. “I started shaking and fully entered shock. Almost immediately, I switched into survival mode,” Hannah said. “I felt like I couldn’t fall apart yet. People to call, family to notify and decisions to make.” In March 2025, then-33-year-old Brittany Barry pleaded guilty to driving over the legal alcohol limit causing death. Because her two children were injured in the crash, she also pleaded guilty to driving over the legal alcohol limit causing bodily harm. Reanne said people often hear about impaired-driving cases, but not the heartbreak families live with long after the crash. “They don’t see the empty chairs at Christmas, don’t see birthdays where loved ones never get to blow out candles on their cakes. They don’t see the countless times you reach for your phone to call your mom or sister to tell them something exciting, only to remember that you can’t,” she said. Dawn Regan, chief operating officer with MADD Canada, said the signs serve as a reminder of the real people and families impacted by impaired driving. “It’s such an important tribute, and we just must do all that we can to stop impaired driving,” Regan said. She said people should plan ahead, never drive impaired and report suspected impaired drivers. Reanne hopes Laura and Jamie’s story will prevent others from getting behind the wheel impaired. “It sucks the way everything has gone, but it’s nice that they could have a positive effect on other people in a sense,” she said. She remembers her mother as funny, kind-hearted and always willing to help others, and her sister as brave, independent and strong.
