Fatal vehicle accident has connection to Rivers

Details

Published on Thursday, June 22, 2017

By Sheila Runions

Banner Staff

Brandon RCMP were called at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, June 16 to respond to a motor vehicle accident on Hwy. 10 just north of the Brookdale turnoff, or PR 353. A short 15 minutes later, Rivers/Daly Fire Department was paged by Rapid City’s department for a mutual aid request; Rivers/Daly used its jaws of life to extricate the deceased driver. 

Ann Slashinsky was coming home to Rivers from Minnedosa; she was bringing back her cousin, 52-year-old Donald Goletz, also of Rivers.

“I don’t recall much of it as I was still coming out of the anesthesia for the surgery on my rotator cuff at 6 o’clock that morning,” says Donald.

Ann moved to Rivers some 17 years ago, as did her cousin. She was a nurses aid who worked part-time at Rolling Dale Enterprises as well as in Brandon; she was on medical leave while she battled cancer. The 55-year-old was driving south when she crossed the centre line and impacted the side of a northbound semi-trailer. Donald sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was released that day after a checkup at Brandon Regional Health Centre. The male driver of the semi was uninjured, even though his vehicle was pushed off into the east ditch and completely jack-knifed with the nose pointing south. 

RCMP closed the highway for five hours to conduct their investigation and to clear the scene. RCMP’s press releases states “appearances” are that seat belts were worn by all parties and no alcohol was involved. Media relations officer Sgt. Paul Manaigre said no charges will be laid. 

Funeral plans are still pending; “Everything is such a mess,” says Donald.