A man accused of drinking and driving and crashing into another vehicle while traveling the wrong way on the QEII Hwy. reserved his plea in Red Deer provincial court on Monday.

Tyler James Stevens, 29, of Cochrane has been charged with four counts of impaired driving causing death, one count of impaired driving causing bodily harm, four counts of failing to provide a breath sample, four counts of criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing death and one count of criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.

On March 4 at about 11:10 p.m., Innisfail fire rescue and EMS responded to a head on collision on the QEII Hwy. at the southern edge of Innisfail.

“The crash took place about 500 metres north of the Cottonwood overpass,” said RCMP Const. Doug Dewar. The southbound lanes were shut down for about three hours after the crash.

From witness accounts, a northbound Range Rover SUV was being driven in the southbound lanes and collided with a southbound automobile. Alcohol appears to be a factor. Four occupants including Anthony Subong Castillon, 35, Joey Flores Mangonon, 35, Eden Dalu Biazon, 39, and Josefina Flores Velarde, 52, died as a result of the crash.

Josephine Gaila Tamondong, 28, was transported to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.

They were all reportedly temporary workers from the Philippines.

Stevens was transported to Red Deer Regional Hospital and treated. He refused to provide a breath sample.

His next court date is set for June 11 in Red Deer.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com