Family of Lachine hit-and-run victim pleads for driver to come forward

The family of Linda Brière, killed in a hit-and-run in Lachine on Friday, is urging the driver to surrender to police, as they begin to mourn her sudden death.

Emergency services were called at around 7:45 p.m. to assist a woman lying on the roadway on 25th Ave., near Saint-Antoine Street.

The 57-year-old woman was conscious when she was taken to hospital, but later succumbed to her injuries. She was found a few meters from the pedestrian crossing at the intersection.

“According to information obtained from various witnesses, it appears that a collision between the pedestrian and a vehicle occurred on 25th Ave. Following the impact, the vehicle continued on its way and did not stop at the scene. Therefore, we are talking about a hit-and-run,” confirmed Jean-Pierre Brabant, spokesperson for the SPVM.

At the time of the accident, Brière was possibly returning containers, as bags, cans, and bottles were found at the scene. She was about a 15-minute walk from her home, where she lived alone

The victim worked at a sorting center in Lachine and always travelled on foot and by bus.

“Witnesses were interviewed, and surveillance camera footage was reviewed, but at this time, no arrests have been made. Investigators are still trying to identify the vehicle involved in this collision,” Brabant said.

Four pedestrians hit in six days

Four pedestrians have been struck in less than a week on the island of Montreal, two of them fatally.

The first incident happened last Saturday, when a 78-year-old pedestrian suffered a head injury after being struck in Montreal North.

The next day, another pedestrian, also aged 78, lost his life in Beaconsfield.

On Thursday, a 68-year-old woman survived serious injuries after being hit by a bus in Lachine.

Then, on Friday, Brière died after being hit in Lachine by a driver who fled the scene.

“We are asking for the public’s help. If anyone has any information about this collision, which occurred around 7:45 p.m., they can call 911 to provide information that will be forwarded to investigators to shed light on the incident and corroborate some of the information investigators already have,” said Constable Brabant.

The family and the SPVM ask anyone with information to contact 911 or confidentially to Info-crime.

The investigation is ongoing.

—With files from The Canadian Press