The accident described in coroner Lyne Lamarche’s report dates back to October 7, 2023.
A vehicle with two passengers on board was traveling northbound on Route 235, between Petit Rang Saint-François and Chemin Saint-Dominique. Driver Alex Dufault lost control, left the road and ended up in a ditch after skidding.
In testimony, a passenger declared that the road was wet and that light rain was falling at the time of the accident. A few minutes later, around 4:15 p.m., a relative of Alex Dufault went there for assistance following a call from the latter.
A second accident occurred a few minutes later. A van traveling northbound left the road at the same location. It hit the first car, the victim and a relative of the victim. Alex Dufault was thrown into the ditch.
First responders went to the scene and the 18-year-old driver was pronounced dead in a Montreal hospital. Toxicological examinations showed no trace of alcohol, drugs or medication in the victim’s body.
The police investigation indicates that there is nothing suspicious that could suggest a criminal act. There is no indication that the use of a cell phone contributed to the two separate and successive road exits.
Six successive events
According to witness accounts, on the same day, two other cars nearly crashed as the two vehicles involved. A police officer reported covering two accidents that occurred at the same location on October 21, 2023, while it was raining.
“Passers-by even stopped on the public highway to help, also putting themselves in danger.”
— Lyne Lamarche
According to the report, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD) installed two slippery road warning signs on the portion of Route 235 in the following days. The MTMD carried out work there to improve grip and drainage the following month. The temporary signs were removed according to a witness.
Asphalting work is also planned for the beginning of the 2024 season to improve the slope of the curve (between Petit Rang Saint-François and Chemin Saint-Dominique) in order to promote better vehicle grip. Improvements are planned up to the intersection of Chemin de Saint-Dominique to standardize the driving surface.
The evidence gathered leads to the conclusion that the accident sector is problematic according to the coroner. Six events that occurred in a short period of time in October 2023 raise several questions, particularly in relation to the slope of the curve, grip with rain, accumulation of showers and the aggregate of the road surface.
Despite everything, we judge that the investigation does not make it possible “to determine precisely the reason(s) for the problems”.
According to the report, a combination of several contributing factors may be responsible for the six successive events that occurred in 2023. For example, tire wear may have contributed to driving off the road or skidding on wet roads. It is noted that the evidence collected does not support the hypothesis.
Three recommendations
The expert, however, issues her recommendations. The first concerns the aggregate used in the manufacture of the road portion, which must be replaced by a more efficient highway-type material, i.e. of better quality, in 2024.
Then, the authorities must ensure that the work to improve the slope of the curve located in the sector, between Petit Rang Saint-François and Chemin Saint-Dominique is carried out.
The Chemin de Saint-Dominique intersection has been the scene of several accidents in the past. (Archives La Voix de l’Est)
Standardization of adhesion between the curve and Chemin Saint-Dominique must also be carried out in 2024. The work must respect the recommended road design standards and parameters.
Finally, speed reduction and slippery road signs must be put in place without delay on the section in question until the end of the said works.
