Public inquiry underway into fatal Quebec truck crashes
Posted March 30, 2026 8:11 am.
Last Updated March 30, 2026 5:24 pm.
A coroner’s public inquiry into deadly collisions involving heavy trucks began Monday at the Montreal courthouse, examining a series of fatal crashes that have raised broader concerns about road safety.
The inquiry was ordered in October at the request of Quebec’s public security minister, following a devastating August 27, 2025 crash on Highway 30 in Boucherville involving a heavy truck and multiple vehicles. The collision killed a mother and her son.
Another fatal crash under review occurred July 15, 2025, in Ange-Gardien.
Proceedings are scheduled to unfold over five weeks between March 30 and Nov. 13.
The inquiry will focus specifically on the deaths of Madeline J. Darby, who died in the July crash, and Tanya and Elliot Lalonde, who were killed in the Boucherville collision.
Coroner Dave Kimpton will specifically examine these three deaths, but he may consider other fatal events that occurred in similar circumstances.
“In addition to analyzing these 3 deaths, I can, if I deem it necessary, take into account other deaths that occurred in similar circumstances, in order to take a complete look at the situation and to develop a broader reflection on the road safety issues that involve heavy trucks,” he said.
On Monday morning, the inquiry began by looking into what led to the death of Madeline J. Darby who was killed in July on Route 235 in Ange-Gardien in the Montérégie.
The first witness, an investigator for the Sûreté du Quebec, concluded that an unidentified distraction by the driver of a heavy truck led to the accident.
“It’s devastating really,” said Brian Boulais, son of Madeline J. Darby. “So we lived it and we hope that this will go in the right direction so that other families don’t have to witness this. It’s big trauma.”
“This hopefully will show certain rules for us to follow as a society so that other families don’t have to go through this,” added Danny Boulais, a second son of Madeline J. Darby.
The second part of the inquiry is scheduled to take place Oct. 26 to Nov. 13. It will focus on the deaths of a mother and her son, Tanya and Elliot Lalonde, following a collision between a heavy truck and several vehicles Aug. 27 on Highway 30 in Boucherville.
These accidents highlighted the phenomenon of low-wage drivers. These drivers, often newcomers who agree to work for wages much lower than those in the industry, are not employees, but incorporated workers.
At the time the investigation was launched, Quebec’s chief coroner, Reno Bernier, acknowledged in an interview with The Canadian Press that “people are questioning, in particular, the training of workers, their supervision, and the conditions under which truck drivers work.”
“There are many ideas on the table, particularly regarding new technologies, better frameworks, etc. So, we think this is a good time to delve deeper into the subject and develop recommendations that will allow us to better prevent similar deaths in the future,” Bernier said.
According to data from the SAAQ, Quebec’s automobile insurance board, 100 of the 379 people who died on the roads in 2024 were due to accidents involving heavy vehicles. The 100 deaths represents an increase of 35 per cent compared to 2023.
The investigation aims to determine the causes and contributing factors behind the crashes, while also prompting a wider reflection on road safety involving heavy vehicles. Recommendations are expected at the conclusion of the process to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“My hope is to have all the answers for these accidents for now. But after that, my hope is that we will be able to have more answers for the future,” said Jean-Claude Daignault, President of the Fraternité des constables du contrôle routier du Québec.
“We’re very pleased that they’re actually doing this. There’s been so many accidents like this in the province over the last year and hopefully something good will come of this,” Brian Boulais added.
