Quebec provincial police are currently investigating an incident where six individuals were injured in Saint-Tite, Que., after being struck by a vehicle early on a Saturday morning. Reports indicate that the collision between the vehicle and pedestrians occurred on Saint-Joseph Boulevard, with witnesses noting police presence around 4:30 a.m.
The vehicle involved in the incident fled the scene, but was later discovered in the Quebec City region at approximately 5:30 a.m. Subsequently, a man in his twenties was taken into custody by law enforcement for questioning.
The injured victims were promptly transported to a hospital to receive treatment for various injuries, the severity of which is currently unknown. Despite the unfortunate event, the Festival Western de St-Tite is still ongoing, with three Quebec political leaders expected to make appearances as part of their campaign activities.
Festival organizers have assured that Saturday’s events will proceed as planned, emphasizing the safety of all attendees, volunteers, and staff as a top priority. They expressed sympathy for those affected by the incident and pledged to ensure a secure environment for all participants.
Police have cordoned off Saint-Joseph Boulevard to vehicular traffic between Du Couvent and Moulin Streets for the majority of Saturday to facilitate investigation activities at the scene. The incident coincided with the scheduled appearances of Quebec party leaders at the festival, with the Quebec Liberals (PLQ), Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), and Parti Québécois (PQ) all planning stops for the day.
CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette extended her condolences to the victims, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Similarly, PQ Leader Pierre St-Pierre Plamondon expressed sympathy for the injured individuals, commending the swift response of first responders and advocating for safe public spaces for communal gatherings.
