The Quebec coroner confirms that the three deaths that occurred in a road collision on Aug. 5, 2021 in Lac-au-Saumon were accidental deaths caused by multiple fractures and head trauma following the road collision that claimed the lives of two adult and a five. -year old child.
The report also highlights the fact that there are only three seat belts for four children in the vehicle.
Coroner Jean-Pierre Chamberland recalled that on August 5, 2021, Pierre-Paul Turcotte, 84, was driving his GMC Sierra pickup truck with his nephew Kaven Turcotte, 37. In the back seat was his 5-year-old son. Kaven Turcotte, Nathan Ouellet, and three other children.
Pierre-Paul Turcotte was driving on the Lac à Pitre road. Arriving at the intersection of Route 132, he promised to cross here and continue on the road to Lac à Pitre.
However, a heavy truck was driving west on Route 132 at the time. Suddenly the driver saw the GMC pickup truck in front of him to his left in his lane at unavoidable according to the coroner’s report.
The truck collided with the right side of the van, which flew 41 meters away. The driver of the heavy truck called emergency services and tried to rescue the passengers of the van, but they were trapped insidecan we read in the report.
When they arrived, paramedics used the jaws of life and noticed the deaths of Pierre-Paul Turcotte and Kaven Turcotte. The death of young Nathan Ouellet was recorded at the Amqui hospital.
The other three children were taken to hospitals in Quebec and Montreal for serious injuries that increase fear for their lives. Fortunately, the three of them came out alive.
Three seat belts for four children
The coroner noted that the two men and two of the children were wearing their seat belts.
However, the other two children, including Nathan Ouellet, were sitting in the middle of the back seat.
Therefore, there is only one seat belt for two children, but since this one does not have to be cut by first responders, unlike other belts, and it has no burn marks or scratches, this indicates that the these two children are not connected. to all.
They were also not seated in a child seat, despite being 4 and 5 years old, the coroner added.
Moreover, the examination of the scene and the testimonies collected do not make it possible to determine whether Mr. Turcotte made his stop sign before entering the intersection. However, the coroner considered that Mr. was unlikely to stop or slow down. Turcotte at the intersection, because his speed at the time of impact was only 30 km/h.
The report also stated that the visibility was good that day, that the asphalt was dry and in good condition and the traffic density was heavy.
Source: Radio-Canada
