A motorcyclist struck to death by a driver suspected of being intoxicated had always shown great caution regarding his alcohol consumption, especially before hitting the road, his wife testified at the opening of the trial.
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“I have never seen Frédéric, in the 14 years I have been with him, be intoxicated, ever,” assured Marie-Christine Babin, Frédéric Cardinal’s wife.
“Whether in a car or a motorbike, he never took a drink,” she said with confidence. He was a cautious person, he never took chances.”
Mme Babin was the first witness to take the stand at the trial of Christian Patrick Dauphinais, which opened Monday at the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield courthouse.
Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / Agence QMI
The hearings, chaired by Judge Magali Lepage, will take place over 10 days.
The 45-year-old man faces charges of impaired driving causing the death of Frédéric Cardinal.
He almost gave up
The tragedy occurred on the evening of March 30, 2021 in Châteauguay, on the South Shore of Montreal.
The father of two young children wanted to take advantage of the good weather to take a ride with a motorcycle enthusiast.
He almost gave up to run errands in preparation for a weekend in a chalet for Easter and to go carry one of the two children to a karate session.
Photo QMI Agency, Erik Peters
However, his partner, Marie-Christine Babin, told him that she would take care of it.
Mr. Cardinal therefore took the opportunity to go for a ride with a new motorcycle that he had recently purchased.
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True to form, the 39-year-old man had “exemplary” conduct, testified Eric Blais, who was present with the victim that evening.
With him, “we are always sure to come home,” he said.
According to Mr. Blais, during such an outing, there is no question of consuming alcohol. “It’s dangerous, it reduces reflexes,” he summarized.
On the way back, Frédéric Cardinal found himself at the corner of René-Lévesque and Brisebois boulevards, not far from the Anna-Laberge hospital.
Eighth note
When the light turned green, the accused, located in the opposite direction, made a turn and hit Mr. Cardinal, who was continuing straight.
Christian Patrick Dauphinais seemed in a state of shock after getting out of his vehicle and was walking “crooked”, according to a motorist who witnessed the scene, Thomas Lamy.
In a close cross-examination, Mr. Lamy explained that the victim had made certain accelerations before the fatal collision, in particular when overtaking, despite double lines.
My Mylène Brown and Maxime Séguin-Durand represent the public prosecutor. My Marc W. Giroux and Dominic Côté defend the accused.