Laval daycare bus crash: Final arguments on high-risk offender status for driver

LAVAL — A Quebec Superior Court judge heard final arguments Friday on whether Pierre Ny St-Amand, the man who drove a city bus into a Montreal-area daycare in February 2023, should be declared a high-risk offender.

The crash killed four-year-old Jacob Gauthier and a five-year-old girl, Maëva, whose family name is under a publication ban, and injured six others.

Ny St-Amand was found not criminally responsible in April because of a mental disorder. Psychiatrists concluded he was likely experiencing psychosis at the time of the crash and was unable to determine right from wrong.

“We didn’t get the sentence we hoped to have at the beginning. The fact that he is accused of high risk, I think it is our only victory,” said Catherine Beaudoin, mother of two children at the daycare.

At the Laval courthouse, the Crown argued Ny St-Amand should be declared a high-risk offender, meaning he would remain in a psychiatric facility under stricter conditions, including limits on absences.

Crown prosecutor Simon Blais said: “The accused should be declared high-risk because first, because of the brutality of the acts committed. Second, he represents a marked probability of violent recidivism. The evidence shows he has a high risk of decompensating or having another psychiatric episode. And when he’s in such a state, he’s very dangerous.”

The defence argued Ny St-Amand should not be declared high-risk, noting he had not committed similar violent acts before and stressing the importance of not linking mental disorders with violent behaviour.

“I am very happy with the Crown’s argument. I find that they are very solid in their point,” said Mélanie Goulet, mother of an injured child. About the defence, she added: “In relation to the defence… maybe I am not neutral, but their argument is not on anything.”

A decision on the high-risk designation may take time. The defence plans to challenge its constitutionality in November, arguing it is discriminatory.

Following that challenge, the judge will likely rule on whether Ny St-Amand will be granted high-risk offender status.

“The fact that he is accused at high risk is a victory for all of Quebec society. There is an extra safety net for someone who committed truly terrible acts,” Goulet said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2025.

-With files from Gareth Madoc-Jones