Long weekend leads to several fatal road collisions in Quebec

The long Canada Day weekend in Quebec proved to be fatal on the roads, as there were many head-on collisions, speeding and dangerous driving incidents reported.

At least three people lost their lives, and several others were injured.

On Sunday, a 19-year-old man died after a collision at 6 a.m. on Montreal’s Highway 15 near the exit ramp for route 136.

According to witnesses, the driver was in one of two vehicles speeding behind a delivery truck. One of the cars drove away while the other collided with the truck.

The other passenger in the vehicle was transported to hospital but their life is not considered in danger.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) is investigating.

Half an hour later, around 6:30 a.m., on Montreal’s South Shore, a 75-year-old man died after being struck on du Quartier Blvd. in Brossard.

A 21-year-old driver was arrested and charged with dangerous driving resulting in death. He was released on a promise to appear in court.

Later, around 9 p.m., a 25-year-old driver and a 24-year-old female passenger were taken to hospital after hitting a bear that was crossing the road.

Their car ended up in a ditch in the borough of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, in Mauricie, about 180 kilometres northeast of Montreal.

Additionally, a senior died after driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes on Highway 30 in the borough of Sainte-Julie, south of Montreal.

The driver hit a vehicle that had three passengers around 11:45 p.m. and they were all taken to hospital.

CAA-Quebec marks the Saint Jean Baptiste long weekend as the beginning of what it calls the 75 deadliest days.

According to Quebec’s automobile insurance association (SAAQ), nine people died on the province’s roads during Canada Day weekend last year, and 20 were seriously injured.

The Sûreté du Québec says drivers should be more vigilant during long weekends and throughout the summer.