Calgary police say man died of accident, self-harm after fight

Calgary police say the deaths of two drivers following a fight over the weekend were the result of accidental, self-harm.

Police said in a statement that two drivers, who did not know each other, got into a physical altercation after a near-collision near Crescent Heights, northwest of Calgary, around 9 p.m. Saturday.

Investigators said the two men got out of the car to talk.

One of the drivers, a 21-year-old, is believed to have raised a knife and threatened a 35-year-old man, who was taken to hospital with minor injuries, they said.

Police said it is now believed the 21-year-old also suffered fatal self-injury.

They said he tried to escape, lost consciousness and crashed into a lamppost, and was later found dead.

An autopsy was completed on Monday and his death was not deemed criminal.

“This is a tragic incident with devastating consequences from a simple dispute surrounding driving,” Staff Sgt. Homicide Squad’s Sean Gregson said at a news conference Tuesday.

“As we enter the season of celebration, we now have two families who will forever be affected by this incident. It is a stark reminder that confrontation, especially with arms, can never lead to positive outcomes.”