Brossard community advocates speak out after homeless woman allegedly victim of hit-and-run

A 46-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after Longueuil police say he deliberately drove towards 44-year-old Caroline Derome in Brossard, causing her leg injuries. The incident happened around 12 p.m. near a business on Allard Street in Brossard, just a few metres from where he lives.

The victim is reportedly from the unhoused community. Advocates for the homeless population are speaking out on struggles with cohabitation following the arrest of a 46-year-old man Tuesday.

CityNews Montreal has been in contact with her though due to her emergency surgery she is unavailable to speak on the matter as she is recovering from her injuries. She notes that she is in constant pain and doesn’t remember much of the incident.

“I’m slowly but surely recovering,” she said. “I believe that much positive will ultimately emerge from this appalling and… incomprehensible story.”

A community shaken

“You can’t go around hurting people, whether they’re homeless or they have an apartment or whatever you know its not right,” said Mary Perron, a Brossard resident.

“I’m not surprised in this day and age. I didn’t expect it, but I am not surprised. Anything can happen anywhere, even to me,” Perron added.

Other residents reported shock to the incident with many questioning the events. On Wednesday, Luigi Fragomele, was charged with four counts, including armed assault, and hit-and-run. The judge opposed Fragomele’s release. He remains detained until June 5 when he’s back in court for a bail hearing.

Pierre Rousseau, General director of Halte du coin – which offers services and resources to the homeless in the south shore – says many homeless report verbal and physical abuse noting a continued underlying issue.

“We don’t want these people to be dehumanized,” said Rousseau. “They are people and we must learn to live together. We’ll see what will happen with this case, but what can maybe happen in Brossard – it’s not the reality and not representing what these usual citizens are dealing with, with homeless people.”

“I know that sometimes neighbors can be unhappy,” he said regarding cohabitation challenges. “I know they’re loud. I know some are loud. Some are drinking. We’re just going to have to deal with that.”

A woman from the unhoused community in the area — who wished to remain anonymous —  says violence towards homeless women and stigma is a common occurrence.

“I think it’s very dangerous for women to sleep outside,” the woman said. “Personally, I wouldn’t sleep outside, people don’t want to see people lying around on their sides or on street corners. They treat them like garbage bags. But I’m living proof that I’m not a garbage bag and that we don’t deserve that.”

“There should be more resources to help women, especially to protect them”

Derome said several organizations in Longueuil and the surrounding area are organizing a small demonstration that will take place Tuesday, June 3rd, near where the incident had occured.

“This demonstration is certainly not intended to disturb the neighborhood, but rather to denounce an increasingly worrying situation and raise awareness of this reality,” Derome said. “Showing them that behind every homeless person is a human being and their story.”

The mayor of Brossard, Doreen Assaad has also reacted to the assault telling CityNews in a statement:

“We were profoundly shaken to learn of the assault that occurred yesterday in our community,” said Assaad. “In these tragic circumstances, our heartfelt thoughts are with the victim. We express our full support and solidarity. It is still too early to draw any conclusions. An investigation is underway, and we must allow the proper authorities to shed light on the facts before making any further statements.”

Rousseau says it is notable across Montreal and on the south shore that there is a growing presence of homelessness

“They’re not criminal, they won’t attack people,” said Rousseau. “We must find solutions we must find a way to talk.”