JASPER/HINTON, Alta. — The hockey community is reeling from heartbreak following the tragic deaths of two young athletes in a fatal collision on Highway 16 east of Jasper on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Danica Hills, 18, and Kayla Lorene Peacock, 17, were both students at Harry Collinge High School in Hinton and talented members of the Jasper U18 Bearcats in the North Eastern Alberta Hockey League (NEAHL). Their lives ended far too soon in a crash that has left their families, teammates, and entire communities shattered.
Emergency crews responded to the collision at approximately 7:15 p.m. after a pickup truck collided with a semi-truck. Peacock, who was driving the pickup, and Hills, a passenger, were tragically declared dead at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured. Investigators believe adverse road conditions may have contributed to the crash.
The loss has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit hockey communities of Jasper, Hinton, and surrounding towns, where both young women were known not only for their athletic abilities but also for their bright personalities and positive influence on their peers.
Jasper Minor Sports released an emotional statement expressing the community’s grief: “There are no words to describe the heartbreak our hockey community is feeling today.” The organization extended deepest condolences to the families, friends, and teammates of the “bright shining lights on the Jasper ice,” and immediately made mental health supports available to all who needed them.
At Harry Collinge High School, where both teens were enrolled, classes were cancelled Tuesday and Wednesday as students and staff began processing this unimaginable tragedy. Principal Ryan Ryan Maguhn assured the community that the school would remain open as a safe space, with Family School Liaison Counsellors on site providing grief and mental health support. Virtual counseling options were also made available.
The Grande Yellowhead Public School Division mobilized its trauma response team immediately following the crash. “Our hearts and primary thoughts are with the families and friends of these students during this unthinkable time,” the division stated. “We recognize that grief does not follow a timeline. We are committed to keeping additional mental health resources available as our community begins the healing process.”
Community leaders across the region shared their condolences. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland described the loss as “beyond comprehension,” while Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara expressed solidarity with the grieving families and teammates.
Walk-in support services were made available at Jasper Jr/Sr High School and Seaton Healthcare Centre, with additional crisis resources shared throughout the community. Whitecourt Minor Hockey also expressed condolences to both the Hinton and Jasper minor hockey associations and all affected families.
Kayla Lorene Peacock wore jersey #19 and Danica Hills wore jersey #15 for the Jasper U18 Bearcats. They will be remembered not only as talented athletes but as students, friends, and young women whose impact extended far beyond the ice. As investigations into the collision continue, the community gathers to honor their memory and support the families during this devastating time.