Victims identified in deadly Amqui, Que. truck crash; Suspect likely to face first-degree murder charges
CTV
More information was released Tuesday about the victims who were struck by a pickup truck in the small Quebec town of Amqui in the Lower St. Lawrence region. Quebec provincial police spokesperson Claude Dorion said that two men aged 73 and 65 were killed when they were walking on the side of the road and nine others were injured, including a baby less than a year old and a three-year-old toddler.
Authorities identified the two people who were fatally struck by a suspect driving a pickup truck in the small Quebec town of Amqui in the Lower St. Lawrence region on Monday.
Quebec provincial police spokesperson Claude Doiron said that Jean Lafreniere, 73, and Gerald Charest, 65, were killed walking on the side of the road. Ten others were injured and transported to hospital, including an infant and a three-year-old toddler.
The children were seriously injured but their injuries were not life-threatening.
Investigators with expertise analyzing crashes are on the scene to determine how fast the driver was going and how long he was on Highway 132 before the vehicle struck the pedestrians.
On Monday afternoon, 38-year-old Steeve Gagnon from Amqui, was arrested. He is likely to face first-degree murder charges for the hit-and-run, said Doiron. He is expected to appear in court Tuesday.
Dorion said it appears to be a premeditated act and the suspect did not have a police history. He added the driver admitted to the crime and turned himself in to a local police station.
Six victims were transported to the Enfant-Jesus Hospital in Quebec City and four are being treated at the Amqui Hospital. Three others were treated on scene and released. One patient remains at the Amqui Hospital on Tuesday.
