Fatal Collision Following Police Pursuit

Two people lost their lives on the highway 40 near Saint-Barthélemy in Lanaudière during a tragic accident on Sunday. They were involved in a head-on collision while trying to escape from the police.

The incident started around 2:40 PM when police received a report about a suspicious vehicle from the Repentigny municipal police. The details surrounding why this vehicle was under scrutiny have not been disclosed.

Approximately 30 minutes later, officers located the vehicle heading east on highway 40 in Lanoraie. Shortly after, a second officer joined the pursuit, with both patrol cars following the suspect vehicle without turning on their lights.

After a few kilometers, one of the officers activated their lights, but the suspect vehicle continued driving east. Due to various maneuvers, the vehicle ended up driving in the wrong direction and collided with another car at kilometer 157 in Saint-Barthélemy.

Emergency responders pronounced the two people in the suspect vehicle dead at the scene. The passengers in the other car suffered injuries and were taken to the hospital, but their lives are not in danger. However, reports indicate that one passenger is in serious condition and has been placed in a coma.

A Tesla driver captured a video showing the suspect vehicle driving in the wrong direction just minutes before the crash. The driver managed to avoid the oncoming car.

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes has launched an investigation since the accident involved a police pursuit. They have assigned six investigators to the case, while the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal will assist in the investigation.