A Tuesday night collision on 97 Street in Edmonton resulted in one fatality and three injuries. in response, Mayor Andrew Knack is calling on provincial authorities to permit speed cameras at high-traffic intersections.
The 97 Street collision near 120 Avenue
The collision involving a BMW and a motorcycle occurred just before 9 p.m . on Tuesday on 97 Street. According to CTV News Edmonton, the 18-year-old rider struck a curb before colliding with pedestrians at a bus stop near 120 Avenue. This high-speed impact resulted in the death of a 21-year-old man and sent a man,a woman, and a baby to the hospital.
Local residents have expressed long-standing concerns regarding the safety of this specific corridor. Mae Lim, a local dayhome operator, observed that accidents are frequent on the busy 97 Street stretch . The report states that in November 2025, a speeding driver on 97 Street caused life-threatening injuries to a woman, highlighting a recurring pattern of danger on the road.
Kaeden Piccolo's charges and the missing BMW driver
Legal proceedings are already underway for the individual identified as the motorcycle rider. Kaeden Piccolo has been charged with dangerous operation resulting in death, along with three counts of causing bodily harm.. While Piccolo is in custdoy, the investigation remains incomplete as police are still searching for the driver of the BMW involved in the crash.
The "cash grab" label and the loss of speed-on-green cameras
The debate over traffic enforcement in Edmonton has intensified following the provincial government's decision to eliminate speed-on-green cameras last year.. The province characterized the removal of these tools as a necessary move to prevent "cash grabs," but local leaders disagree with that assessment.
Mayor Andrew Knack argued that the absence of automated enforcement has created a vacuum in road safety. He suggested that police enforcement alone cannot adequately cover the entire city without automated tools. knack further noted that removing these cameras has effectively removed the consequences for reckless driving, leaving citizens feeling vulnerable.
A November 2025 request for eight intersection exemptions
Edmonton city officials are currently awaiting a response to a formal request made to the provincial government. Mayor Knack noted that the city's request for exemptions to install cameras at eight major intersections was submitted in November 2025. As of now, the province is still considering the proposal, leaving the city without the authority to deploy its own traffic safety enforcement teams.
The search for the BMW driver and provincial silence
Several critical questions remain unresolved following the 97 Street tragedy. First, when will the provincial government provide a definitive answer to the city's November 2025 request for intersection exemptions? Second,what evidence will eventually lead investigators to the unidentified driver of the BMW? Finally, will the province reconsider its stance on speed-on-green cameras in light of the recent fatalities and the critical condition of the injured baby?
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