Two years after the horrific accident that killed four members of the same family on Quebec's Dufferin-Montmorency highway, first responders who arrived on the scene say they are still haunted by the tragedy.
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“I remember it was chaotic. The destroyed cars, the people screaming and holding their heads… We didn't understand what happened,” says Catherine Bouchard, who met Le Journal at the scene of the accident a little over two years later.
The then assistant nurse was in the process of getting an RTC card for her daughter when the accident occurred a few dozen meters in front of her vehicle on September 2, 2021.
Catherine Bouchard, auxiliary nurse, and Mathieu Audy, SPVQ agent, were the first responders to the accident that occurred in 2021 on the Dufferin-Montmorency highway. Marcel Tremblay / Agence QMI
With the help of a police officer, she managed to free James Fletcher, the family's grandfather, from a vehicle to give him a heart massage on the way.
After long minutes, when the peace officer saw that there was nothing left to do, he asked him to look after little Emma while he tried to free the other passengers from the car.
“I did what I could, then I rocked her and sang to her. I didn’t want her to go alone,” laments Ms. Bouchard.
The victims were hit by a repeat drunk driver at speeds of more than 80 mph. Photo agency QMI, Guy Martel
An “extraordinary” scene
At the time of the tragedy, only police officers Mathieu Audy and Jérôme Castonguay were available at the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ).
As they finished their shift, they were the ones who organized emergency services response and assisted Ms Bouchard in her efforts.
“It was an extraordinary scene, I had never seen anything like it in my 20-year career,” recalls Constable Audy, who was preparing to celebrate his birthday with his loved ones that evening.
Four people were killed in a traffic accident caused by the driver Éric Légaré on the Dufferin-Montmorency highway in Beauport on September 2, 2021. Left to right: James Fletcher, Shellie Fletcher-Lemieux, Emma Lemieux and Jackson Fortin. Free photos
Given the magnitude of the situation, Mr. Audy quickly called firefighters, tugboats, paramedics and the various Sûreté du Québec stations in the area while attempting to treat the injured and witnesses on the scene.
After entrusting the child to the assistant nurse, the police officer made his way to the suspect's vehicle to put out an emerging fire.
“At first I thought he was a victim in shock. He was bleeding from the stomach, but he was laughing…” he says.
Branded with a hot iron
Mr Fletcher, his daughter Shellie and their children Jackson Fortin and Emma Lemieux sadly died that day. Éric Légaré, a repeat drunk driver, received 16 years in prison for speeding over 130 km/h.
Éric Légaré was sentenced to 16 years in prison for causing the deaths of four people while driving drunk. Photo from Facebook
Despite the dramatic conclusions of the event, the SPVQ wanted to highlight “the courage and composure” of Catherine Bouchard and Mathieu Audy by presenting them with an honorary award in mid-November.
But the recognition has a bitter aftertaste for the two speakers, who were left scarred by the tragedy despite the psychological support they received.
“I still have nightmares about it. I have pictures of the little girl and the grandfather that I tried to revive. I often wonder what else I could have done,” admits Ms. Bouchard, who now works in a car repair shop.
A photo radar was installed at the intersection where the tragedy occurred to force motorists to adhere to the 70 km/h speed limit in the area. Photo agency QMI, Marcel Tremblay
Constable Audy, for his part, had to change departments after the incident because hypervigilance left him unable to sleep for several weeks.
“When I saw the condition of the victims in the car, I was shocked. I've experienced a lot in my job, but this was like the final straw that broke the camel's back. You never know when it's going to hit you,” says the man who is now involved in the Brotherhood of Quebec Police Officers to ensure the well-being of his colleagues.
►Mathieu Audy and Catherine Bouchard wanted to offer their support to the families of the victims and ensure that they do everything possible to help them and accompany them in their last moment.
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