An 18-year-old young woman died from her injuries after being struck by a Quebec City dump truck in Limoilou on Thursday morning.
The tragic event occurred when the victim allegedly attempted to cross 1st Avenue to reach a bus stop shortly after 9:30 a.m.
According to witnesses Le Journal met, the truck driver ran her over while simultaneously making a left turn onto East 41st Street. The young woman then found herself in a blind spot.
A young woman was struck by a Quebec City truck while crossing East 41st Street at the corner of 1st Avenue on the Limoilou-Charlesbourg border. Jeremy Bernier
Emergency services were unable to do anything for the pedestrian, whose identity is not yet known, and who lost her life shortly after the collision. Two hours later, his body was still lying scattered on the ground in the middle of the intersection.
“It happened so quickly that he was completely overwhelmed… We could hear people crying and screaming,” sighs Raynald Hunter.
“Our hearts fought, I’m still upset. It’s terrible to see,” said her friend Claudine Vézina, who saw the whole scene.
Raynald Hunter and Claudine Vézina witnessed the accident that took the life of the young pedestrian on Thursday morning. Jeremy Bernier
Priority of transit
The circumstances of the accident remain unclear for now, but the theory of impaired driving has already been ruled out, says the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ).
However, several people told the Journal that the truck driver had the green light and the right of way at the time of the collision.
“There will certainly be many witnesses to meet in this case. The course of events is not yet clear,” emphasizes David Poitras, police spokesman. But based on the elements collected so far, the random theory would be the most likely, he continues.
To allow investigators to shed light on this tragedy, a wide perimeter was established. The area of 1st Avenue and 41st Street East, which is closed to traffic, should be avoided.
Dangerous sector
This isn’t the first time the corner of 41st Street and 1st Avenue has made headlines for its dangerous nature. The tragedy earlier in the day is actually the third time in the last six years that a pedestrian has been hit in this exact spot.
A man was seriously injured while trying to cross the street in exactly the same spot in March 2020. Three years earlier, a 58-year-old woman also suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car.
The intersection was also one of six locations targeted by Quebec City police in the fall of 2019 as part of a pedestrian and cyclist awareness campaign.
However, SPVQ spokeswoman Sandra Dion could not confirm whether the sector is considered accident-prone or not.
One thing is certain: residents in the area are aware of the risks posed by the intersection of 41st Street and 1st Avenue.
“She died instantly. “It’s tragic what happened, but it’s not surprising,” laments Dannik Desrochers.
“There are cars that don’t pay attention to people crossing, even though they have the right of way. And there are pedestrians who don’t wait for their light. It’s terrible!” complains Jolène Parent.
Photo agency QMI, Guy Martel
Multiple reactions
The mayor of Quebec reacted on social networks to regret this “sad event”.
A terrible accident occurred at the intersection of Limoilou and Charlesbourg this morning. My thoughts are with the victim’s family, the witnesses and the first responders. What a sad event.
— Bruno Marchand (@brunomarchand) November 2, 2023
“A terrible accident occurred this morning at the intersection of Limoilou and Charlesbourg. My thoughts are with the victim’s family, the witnesses and the first responders,” he wrote on X.
“I am extremely saddened and even upset by what just happened. […] The city must offer safer developments and prioritize high-accident quadrangles,” said Limoilou councilor Jackie Smith.
The Quebec City Workers’ Union expressed its condolences to the victim’s family and said it was “saddened” by the circumstances of the tragedy.
“The union intends to actively cooperate with the authorities concerned and the employer […] It will also redouble its health and safety efforts to prevent accidents that could endanger the people of Quebec and its members,” said a press release.
–In collaboration with Vincent Desbiens
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