Provincial police say pedestrians struck by a pickup truck in Amqui, Que. have been transferred to a trauma unit in Quebec City.
Two people were killed and nine others were injured after a pickup truck plowed into pedestrians walking beside a road in the eastern Quebec town of Amqui on Monday afternoon.
Police have identified Stevee Gagnon, 38, as the suspect. Authorities say he turned himself in after the fact and is expected to be charged later today.
Police spokesperson Sgt. Béatrice Dorsainville said officers believe the act was intentional, but the motive is not yet known.
Authorities have identified Gérald Charest, 65, and Jean Lafrenière, 73, as those killed.
Of the nine surviving victims, three suffered serious injuries and are in critical condition and six others were being evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries, Dorsainville said. Six victims were transferred by plane to the Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus trauma unit in Quebec City, she said Tuesday.
Gilles Turmel, a spokesperson for the regional health board, the CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent, confirmed three of the injured have been released from the hospital in Amqui. He said a code orange was launched due to multiple casualties.
He added that psychological assistance was offered to witnesses yesterday, and they will be available again today and for the weeks to come.
The Sûreté de Québec says major crimes units across the province have sent several dozen police officers to investigate.
Amqui Mayor Sylvie Blanchette said Tuesday the municipality would be offering support to family and friends affected by the tragedy.
“There are about 6,000 people living in Amqui so people know and help each other,” she said.
