Calgary man faces impaired driving charges in fatal Sylvan Lake crash
Posted Jun 21, 2026 3:42 pm.
A Calgary man faces impaired driving charges in relation to a fatal crash near Sylvan Lake that happened in mid-May, Mounties say.
They say officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Asplund Road and Highway 20 just before 7 p.m. on May 16.
When they arrived, a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Chevrolet Silverado were found heavily damaged.
A 65-year-old Red Deer man, and sole occupant of the Chevrolet, was extricated by the Sylvan Lake Fire Department. However, he was pronounced dead on the scene.
Meanwhile, the driver of the Jeep, 49-year-old Calgary man Zainul Puzhakkal, was arrested on the scene and provided breath samples for an alcohol investigation.
He now faces one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, and another for being impaired with a blood alcohol level over 80 mg% causing death.
Released from custody, Puzhakkal is expected to appear in Red Deer court on July 9.
“Once again, this is a tragic reminder that operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol places all motoring public at grave risk. If you choose to drink, make the choice to not operate any motor vehicle,” said RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Peden.
“As the summer months are upon us, take the time to plan. This loss of life, as with other fatal collisions, are preventable. Driving a motor vehicle takes concentration on the roadways, traffic control devices such as stop signs, posted speed limits and other vehicles around you.”
Anyone with information or footage about this incident can contact the Sylvan Lake at 403-887-3333 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play store.
