At noon on Wednesday, tragedy struck the municipality of Vallée-Jonction on Route 173, when a heavy truck overturned onto a vehicle, crushing it completely, leaving the young victim with no chance of survival.
The young woman of 26-year-old, Alexandra Poulin from Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce in Quebec, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The intersection at the bottom of the slope connecting Route 112 to Route 173 has long been recognized as hazardous. To mitigate risks, an emergency escape ramp was added at the base of the hill, along with restrictions prohibiting trucks over 15 tons from using the descent.
The truck driver, who was on his first trip of the day, is being questioned by investigators to clarify the circumstances of the accident. According to the Sûreté du Québec, there is currently no indication that the driver was impaired or lacked a valid license. However, criminal charges may be filed as he failed to comply with the 15-ton weight restriction, exceeding it with his equipment and load.
Hussain Mujahid, the owner of the trucking company, confirmed that the driver, a subcontractor, had the necessary credentials and assured full cooperation with authorities. However, Mr. Mujahid’s company is already under scrutiny by the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ) for past violations.
In July, the CTQ granted the company a conditional safety rating, highlighting deficiencies in vehicle maintenance and regulatory compliance. In response, the CTQ issued strict directives, including mandatory improved training for drivers and managers to address these shortcomings. This remains the company’s only active file before the CTQ, according to Mr. Mujahid.
While the investigation is ongoing, this tragic incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to safety measures by all road users. These rules are not optional but essential to protect the lives of everyone on the road.
The trucking community in the province is calling for a thorough investigation and, if warranted, appropriate charges and penalties, citing growing concern over the alarming increase in accidents in recent years. The lack of proper training for some drivers and questionable practices employed by certain companies, primarily from Ontario, are at the heart of ongoing debates within Quebec’s transport sector. Many carriers and associations are actively advocating for measures to make the roads safer for all users.
Listen to Benoit Therrien interview on Radio X (French only) : https://radiox.com/podcast/il-doit-y-avoir-une-enquete
