Coroner identifies one of four victims of fatal crash on Highway 440
Transport minister vows improvements as area has seen 10 accidents since 2013
A 26-year-old Laval man has been identified as one of the four victims who died in a major collision on Highway 440 in Laval on Monday.
The Quebec coroner’s office confirmed that Robert Tanguay-Laplante died in the multi-vehicle crash, adding that they are using DNA or dental records to identify the other three victims.
Three people who were in critical condition following the deadly crash are now out of danger, the Sûreté du Québec said on Wednesday.
Four died and 15 were injured during the crash on the busy highway near the exit leading to Highway 15 north.
The multi-vehicle pileup began after a tractor-trailer crashed into a vehicle in the right-hand lane. Another 18-wheeler and several cars were also involved in the fiery crash.
During the pileup, one of the trucks caught fire and flames spread to the other vehicles.
The Montreal Gazette tried to contact one of the truck drivers involved in the accident, but a woman who answered the door at his home said he was very upset and didn’t want to speak to the media.
Quebec Premier François Legault extended his condolences and urged anyone needing psychological help to avail themselves of it.
“All my thoughts are with the relatives of the victims involved in the terrible accident yesterday on Highway 440,” Legault wrote on Twitter. “I want to thank the first responders and emergency services.”
Quebec Transport Minister François Bonnardel said safety on the highway will be improved by extending a double line that forbids drivers from merging at the last minute to exit the highway and access the service road.
The section of Highway 440 where the accident happened has been the site of about 10 accidents since 2013.
An assessment will be done across the province to identify other spots where similar measures are needed.
Anyone with information about the Highway 440 crash should call Quebec provincial police at 1-800659-4264.
All my thoughts are with the relatives of the victims involved in the terrible accident yesterday on Highway 440.