The driver of a fire truck involved in an accident that seriously injured a motorist on Sunday in Amqui has been arrested for driving while impaired by alcohol.
Around 3:45 p.m. the emergency services were called on Route 195 for a collision between a pickup truck and a fire truck from the MRC de la Matapadia Fire Department.
The emergency vehicle, which was on call, was traveling southbound on Park Avenue (Route 195) when the driver of a pick-up truck cut its way, failing to stop at the intersection of the street Gendron.
The impact between the two vehicles was violent and the fire truck overturned on its side.
The driver of the van, a woman in her sixties, was seriously injured and authorities fear for her life.
The on-duty firefighter was arrested for driving while impaired by alcohol.
“The 45-year-old man was taken to the police station to provide a breath alcohol sample,” confirmed Sûreté du Québec spokesman Stéphane Tremblay.
He was to be released on a promise to appear. The two other firefighters on board the truck were not injured.
A collision reconstructionist was called to the scene. The Sûreté du Québec will investigate.
Route 195 was closed to traffic for much of the evening.
-With Maxime Deland, QMI Agency