The victims of early Sunday morning crash in Red Deer, Alta., were identified by friends as Brad and Krista Howe, a couple who are leaving behind five children.

The couple were killed when a pickup truck slammed into their car about 2 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Ironstone Drive and 30th Avenue in Red Deer.

Brad Howe, 34, and Krista Howe, 35, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 22-year-old man from Sedalia, Alta., faces two counts each of impaired driving causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level over 0.08.

The accused man, who was the lone occupant of the pickup truck, was treated and released from hospital.

The deaths are the first traffic deaths in Red Deer since 2008.

The Brad and Krista Howe Memorial Fund has been set up through the Foam Lake Credit Union.