Tragic Road Fatalities Mark Start of Quebec’s Construction Holiday
Over the first weekend of Quebec’s construction holiday, a total of eight individuals lost their lives in road accidents, as reported by authorities from the provincial, Montreal, and Sherbrooke police departments.
Ahead of the anticipated travel rush during the construction holiday, Sûreté du Québec (SQ) had issued warnings for drivers to be cautious on the roads and waterways. They had also announced an increase in highway patrols to ensure safety.
Last year, a staggering 38 deaths were recorded in collisions during the construction holiday, marking it as the deadliest in a decade.
This year, within the initial 24 hours of the two-week holiday, five fatalities were already reported.
Tragedy struck on Friday when a head-on collision on Route 329 in the Laurentians claimed the lives of a seven-year-old boy and his parents from Lantier. The incident occurred as a driver attempted to pass a turning vehicle but ended up colliding with the car carrying Marc Deslauriers, Sandra Simard, and their son.
An online fundraiser has been established to support the 13-year-old son of the deceased couple who was fortunately not involved in the crash.
On Saturday, a four-vehicle collision in Sacré-Coeur near Tadoussac led to the deaths of two young men in their 20s and left seven others injured. The tragic event unfolded on Route 138 when a driver crossed lanes and struck three oncoming vehicles.
Sunday witnessed another road fatality in Quebec City, where a motorcyclist in his 60s lost his life after veering off the road while attempting a lane change. Despite being rushed to the hospital in critical condition, he did not survive. Authorities suspect that speed and alcohol may have played a role in the accident.
Additionally, a man in his 50s was fatally hit by a vehicle in eastern Montreal while crossing the street, and a 68-year-old man in Sherbrooke passed away after losing control of his vehicle and ending up in a ditch.
