The mother of the young man of 18 who lost his life this weekend in Montérégie in a violent collision caused by a possibly drunk Ontarian at the wheel, delivers a vibrant testimony in the hope that no one else has to experience such a tragedy.
“How many more deaths will it take before the world wakes up?” is indignant through the sobs Catherine Corriveau.
On the night of Saturday to Sunday, police knocked on his door with news that any parent fears.
His son Mathis Filion was riding in a car with four other people when they were involved in a violent face-off on Highway 20 West. Near Sainte-Hélène-de-Bagot, the driver of a white GMC Sierre was driving in the opposite direction on the highway.
Provided by Catherine Corriveau
This photo of Mathis was taken just before his prom in June 2022.
Unfortunately, the violence of the impact left Mathis no chance.
The 21-year-old driver of the car in which he was riding and the three other passengers, two of whom are minors, were taken to hospital with injuries. However, their lives would not be in danger.
“I don’t wish that on anyone, whispers Catherine Corriveau, overwhelmed by events. There’s nothing that’s going to bring my son back.”
Pascal Girard/QMI AGENCY
Mathieu Veillette, 24, was on board this pick-up during the accident.
Accused
The driver of the van, Mathieu Veillette, now faces six charges, including impaired driving causing death. He was not injured in the collision.
The 24-year-old Ontarian has no criminal record in Quebec, according to research by the Log.
Displaying a stern look and being dressed in a gray and yellowish jacket, he appeared by videoconference before Judge Érick Vanchestein yesterday afternoon, at the Montreal courthouse.
Veillette remains detained for the moment and will be back in court on Wednesday for the rest of the proceedings.
Pascal Girard/QMI AGENCY
The victim’s vehicle was thrown off the road.
A promising future
For the young Mathis, it’s a promising future that goes up in smoke, explains his mother.
He had just bought his own vehicle, hoped to become a physical education teacher, spent a lot of time training.
“He was so handsome, so nice, and he left like that,” says Ms. Corriveau.
She had taken a “beautiful walk” with her son shortly before the accident.
Daven Fournier, a friend of Mathis, is for his part furious to lose a second person because of drunk driving.
“If I could speak to the driver who killed my friend, I would tell him he is selfish and only thought of himself. No one should drink while driving. When you get behind the wheel drunk, it’s the lives of others that you put in danger”, he protested in an interview with the Log.