A picture taken last month at the crash site north of Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Tragic events

‘It’s murder’: grieving widow calls for people responsible for husband’s death to come forward

May 26, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Nearly two months have passed since Diane Herzog’s husband was killed in a car crash, and she and her family are no closer to getting justice.

On the morning of April 4, Prince Albert RCMP was called to a crash at Highway 263 and Okema Beach Road between a car and a pick-up truck. Keith Herzog, 64, the driver and lone occupant of the car, was declared dead at the scene. Diane told paNOW the pain of losing Keith is the same today as it was on the day of the crash.

“Couple of our grandsons we have to take them to counseling. It’s hit them so hard. They wake up in the middle of the night and they phone crying. It’s terrible,” she explained.

Diane went to explain Keith had been on his way to work at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary and would normally leave around 6 a.m.

“He came back in the door for something he had forgotten and then went back out. That was the last time I saw him,” she recalled.

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The occupant, or occupants, of the second vehicle, a white 2001 GMC Sierra, left on foot before police arrived. Investigators determined the truck was reported stolen from Leask the day prior.

“These are the type of people he would help in jail and try to change their lives around. That’s the kind of ironic part of this,” Diane explained, adding she is aware that a number of current inmates Keith worked with are also very upset about his death and want those responsible to own up to their crime.

Prior to working at Sask. Pen. in the maintenance department, Keith Herzog had been a dedicated farmer for over 40 years and also sat on the RM of Shellbrook council. (Beau Lac Funeral Home)

Prince Albert RCMP continues to investigate with help from a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist. As of Thursday, there have been no arrests. When asked by paNOW what she would say to the people responsible, Diane just asked them to do the right thing, own up to their actions and come forward.

“If it was their family, they’d want the same thing,” she said. “It’s murder.”

According to some discussions on social media, the suspects allegedly stole Keith’s wallet after the crash. Diane confirmed there was a mix-up and the Coroner had found her husband’s wallet in his front pocket but then turned it over to the funeral home.

“Thank goodness it was found, it was just a lot of extra stress we didn’t need,” Diane said.

A photo taken of Herzog’s specially made urn. (Submitted/Diane Herzog)

(Submitted/ Diane Herzog)

According to Herzog’s obituary, he had a passion for carpentry and also enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards. He was also famous for playing a good tune on the spoons. Diane confirmed her husband planned to retire in January and pursue his passion for carpentry.

“He had a love for humanity and always tried to see the good in everyone, which allowed him to be a role model to many individuals who had lost their way in life. He was the most generous and caring person you would ever know. His goal in life wasn’t about the material things he left behind, but the impact he left, which we can say mission accomplished,” a statement from the family read.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell