The accident that claimed the life of an “experienced cyclist” in Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce last June was due to a lack of attention and a sudden maneuver by the victim, the coroner concludes.
• Also read: Cyclist fatally struck in Beauce : “ the government’s fault » according to his partner
Yves Lemelin was hit by a car while riding his bicycle on Route 173 around 1:30 p.m. on June 11th. As he was driving north on a road limited to 90 km/h, he attempted to cross the road at the end of the cycle path when the collision occurred.
Due to the force of the impact, the 80-year-old was thrown several meters and succumbed to multiple trauma in the hour that followed. The helmet worn by the cyclist was not enough to protect him.
“Yves was careful and he was a good cyclist […] [,] It’s the government’s fault,” the deceased’s wife, Diane Parent, told the Journal last Saturday.
According to them, the lack of a bridge over the Calway River “which has been demanded for decades” was to blame for this tragic affair.
Diane Parent, wife of Yves Lemelin, cyclist fatally hit in Beauce in June 2023. Nicolas St Pierre
The victim is to blame
However, the coroner who investigated the case, Mr Donald Nicole, believes the blame lies with the victim.
Witnesses encountered during the investigation stated that Mr. Lemelin “suddenly turned left” without checking for vehicles on the road. It would have been impossible for the driver to avoid the collision.
“The fatal collision that cost Mr Lemelin his life was the result of a lack of attention and a sudden maneuver carried out without ensuring that there was no danger on both sides of the road,” the coroner concluded.
The latter also emphasizes that at the time of the tragedy it was daytime, the well-paved road was dry and visibility was good.
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