EDMONTON -- A man and woman who were killed after an alleged drunk driver plowed into their car Sunday are the first people to die in a Red Deer crash since 2008.

Shortly before 2 a.m., police say a GMC pickup truck was travelling toward an intersection when it smashed into the driver’s side of a Neon car.

The car was severely crushed. Police say the 35-year-old woman and 34-year-old man in the car died on scene. They were related, but police won’t say how.

The 22-year-old driver of the pickup was treated for minor injuries at hospital.

Cops continue to investigate, but they have already determined that alcohol was a factor.

The driver of the pickup, who hails from Sedalia, Alta., was arrested and remains in custody. No charges have been laid yet.

The names of the deceased have not been released, pending notification of next of kin.

Although this is the first traffic fatality in Red Deer in nearly two years, RCMP say impaired driving is still a major problem.

“It’s a problem everywhere. No one is immune,” said RCMP Const. Sabrina Grunow. “One impaired driver is one too many. When you look at the potential for loss of life, it’s just not worth it.”

In Edmonton, police last month received 734 calls from residents reporting suspected impaired drivers as part of the Curb the Danger program.

alyssa.noel@sunmedia.ca