Worker MTQ drawn: the accused released

Photo Agence QMI, Pascal Girard

Michael Nguyen

Monday, February 26, 2018 13:06

UPDATE
Monday, February 26, 2018 13:06

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An employee of the construction accused of fatally struck a worker of the Ministry of Transportation of Quebec, in addition to wounding seven others, could be freed pending his trial.

“His life is completely shattered, it is sure that it is going to point the finger,” said his lawyer, André Lapointe at the end of the hearing, on Monday, at the palais de justice of Montreal.

Vincent Lemay, the father of a family at the age of 38, had been held since the end of the week, following a serious collision which occurred at the rond-point Dorval, in Montreal. Stéphane Lebel, an employee of the MTQ has lost their lives while seven workers were injured.

“It is terrible that a person died and others were injured,” said Me Lapointe, during a brief press conference.

Finished the alcohol

The facts surrounding the cause being stricken with a publication ban requested by the defense, the media can’t explain the circumstances of the tragedy. But according to the charges, Lemay would have resulted in a state of intoxication that night.

“We were opposed to the release, it is a matter of public trust,” said the prosecutor to the Crown, Alexander Arel, recalling that it was a record of impaired driving involving workers.

In order to improve the safety of workers in the areas of construction, the government had decided to double the fines for speeding in these areas.

But in spite of the opposition of the Crown, judge Jean-Paul Braun decided that the accused could be released. He therefore concludes, among other things, that a citizen well informed would not be shocked of this decision.

The magistrate, however, imposed several conditions to Lemay, the Crown has described as “severe”.

Drinking and driving

In addition to the deposit, a deposit of $ 5,000, Lemay should not drink alcohol, and it will not be able to take the steering wheel between 21 o’clock and 5 o’clock. He will have to continue to live in his home in Saint-Zotique, and his family will have to pay for a psychological follow-up.

“I do not believe that [the release of Lemay] starts a wrong message,” commented the Crown as a result of the hearing, while reminding us of the dangers of drinking and driving.

The joint Stéphane Lebel, Maria Gauthier, regrets for his part that the tragedy ” could have been avoided “.

“It is frustrating, it is necessary that the people should understand that a car is a weapon, she told the Journal on Monday. If t’s in no state to drive, conduitspas. “

Ms. Gauthier says that he has no anger against anyone, despite the drama. And at the same time, it request to improve the safety of workers on construction sites.

“We need to talk about, to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” she said. It is important. “

The father-in-law of Mr. Lebel, Robert Tremblay, finds it “immensely sad and so unfair,” the death of his son-in-law.

“He wanted to get out of the hole and it was just starting to get there,” he said. He was so happy with his new job. It was a person with a heart as big as the earth, it was a working. “

Relatives of Lemay were present at the hearing, but they did not wish to comment on the case.

– With the collaboration of Axel Marchand-Lamothe