Deadly weekend on Quebec roads prompts police warning – Montreal

A driver and a pedestrian were killed in two separate accidents in Quebec on Sunday.

In the first accident, a multi-vehicle collision occurred at the Turcot junction at around 6am. The crash, on the Highway 15 ramp leading to Route 136 East, killed a driver and sent a minor passenger to the hospital, police said. The victim’s life is not in danger.

Emergency services found two of the vehicles involved empty.

“An investigation is being launched by the major crimes and investigation unit in connection with the hit-and-run,” said Adam Marineau, spokesman for Sûreté du Québec.

The driveway remained closed for several hours while witnesses were interviewed and accident reconstruction experts examined the crime scene.

In Brossard, a 75-year-old pedestrian was killed after being hit by a vehicle.

The accident at Du Quartier Boulevard and De Lancaster Street was reported at 6:30 a.m.

“The 21-year-old driver was driving his car on the street,” said Mélanie Mercille, spokesperson for the Longueuil police. “He lost control of his vehicle and hit a man who was walking on the bike path.”

The driver was arrested and could be charged with dangerous driving resulting in death, police said.

Those accidents followed a deadly crash Friday, when a semi-trailer collided with an SUV on Route 335 north of Montreal. Laval police confirmed three deaths.

According to the SAAQ, Quebec’s auto insurance association, nine people died on Quebec roads over Canada Day weekend in 2023, and 20 were seriously injured.

According to CAA Quebec, the Saint Jean Baptiste long weekend marks the beginning of what they call the 75 deadliest days.

“Out of 365 days, that’s about a quarter of the period, and it’s more than 25 percent of the victims,” André Durocher, spokesperson for CAA Quebec, told Global News. “The top three factors that cause accidents are the same year after year: drinking and driving, speeding and distraction.”

The Sûreté du Québec says drivers should redouble their vigilance during special occasions such as long weekends, as well as during the summer.

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