A two-vehicle collision on Hwy. 27 claimed the life of a retired businessman from the Bergen area.Orvil Johnson, 74, the former owner of a successful Olds-based oilfield construction company, died in a head-on collision with a semi-tanker truck about three miles east of Hwy. 22 around 10:50 p.m. on Sept. 8.Sundre RCMP are investigating why the westbound minivan driven by Johnson went over the centre line, but are doubtful they will ever fully know the cause of the accident, said Sgt. Percy Leipnitz of the Sundre RCMP detachment.ìIt's something we may never be able to determine,î said Leipnitz.ìFor some unknown reason, the minivan ended up going into the lane of the oncoming (eastbound) semi, and a head-on collision resulted,î said Leipnitz.Leipnitz said the driver of the semi was unharmed, but was ìobviously quite shaken up by the incident.îThe road and weather conditions at the time were not factors, said Leipnitz, adding that alcohol is not being considered a factor at this time.The deceased was the lone occupant of the westbound vehicle.Johnson formerly ran the oilfield construction company O. Johnson Construction out of Olds. After selling his company, Johnson retired to the Bergen area, where he spent his days attending jam sessions and other musical activities, as he was skilled on a variety of stringed instruments, said close friend Keith Baxter.ìHe sang too. And he sang well. He was a real entertainer,î said Baxter.Family, friends, and fellow musicians gathered for a celebration of Johnson's life last Thursday afternoon at the Royal Canadian Legion in Olds.
