Airdrie Business Award Winner Killed in Vehicle Accident

An Airdrie businessman was killed in a motor vehicle accident on the same day he was set to accept an award as an emerging business owner in the community.

Jeremy Colwell, Airdrie community member and local business owner of Pure Light Style, passed away suddenly in a single-vehicle accident on Stoney Trail the morning of Oct. 19, according to the executive director of Airdrie’s Chamber of Commerce, Marilyne Aalhus.

Aalhus said they received a call about the accident the day after their Annual Airdrie Business Gala, in which Colwell was awarded the Airdrie Emerging Business Award.

“It was very unfortunate,” Aalhus said. “He was so excited to be part of the awards and so that evening, none of us were aware of his passing and we accepted the award on his behalf. We were very surprised to not have him there because he literally came to pretty much everything that our Chamber did. So it was really unfortunate to hear the news the following morning when his sister called.”

Aalhus noted that no official report was released on the cause of the accident.

Calgary Police Services (CPS) reported that a man had died on the morning of Oct. 19 after a vehicle struck the McKnight overpass head on while travelling southbound on Stoney Trail in Calgary.

CPS confirmed that one person was deceased when crews arrived at 3:30 a.m., but did not release details of the man's identity. 

Colwell’s business, Pure Light Style, received the Airdrie Emerging Business Award on the same day, which is presented to a new business showing success and a connection to the Airdrie community.

“Jeremy was very deserving of this award and was extremely honoured to be a finalist in this category,” the Chamber posted on Facebook on Oct. 20. “We know that he would have been both humbled and thrilled to receive his award yesterday evening.”

Colwell joined the Chamber a year ago and was recognized for always being personable and eager to help support others without expecting anything in return.

“He was making great connections and his business was really taking off,” the Chamber’s Facebook post read. “We will miss him dearly.”

Pure Light Style was founded by Jeremy Colwell with locations in both Airdrie and Calgary.

The lighting business provides lighting solutions with interior design in mind, according to their website.

“Since we are all spending more time at home than ever before thanks to the rise of work from home opportunities, investing in the look and feel of a room can help you to feel more secure, relaxed, and content,” the Pure Light Style website stated.

More information will be published as it becomes available.